dotMemory 2017.3 Help

Controlling Profiling Session

After you run the profiling session, dotMemory will open the new Analysis tab and launch the profiled application.

controlling profiling process 1

To control the profiling process, use the following buttons on the top of the page pos 2:

  • Force GC
    Forces full garbage collection in the application.
  • Kill Process
    Kills the currently selected process of the application.
  • Kill All Processes*
    Kills all processes of the application.
  • Detach**
    Detaches the profiler from the application but keeps the application running.
  • Collect Allocations
    Enables and disables collecting memory allocation data.
    Use this option to reduce the profiler overhead and collect allocation data only when it is needed (for example, only when working with app functionality you want to profile). Note that memory traffic data will be incomplete in case you turn off collecting allocations at least once during the profiling. Learn more in Analyzing Memory Traffic.
  • Get Snapshot by Condition
    Opens the Get Snapshot by Condition window. Using this window, you can configure dotMemory to automatically get snapshots when a particular condition takes place. Learn more inGetting Snapshots by Condition.
  • Get Snapshot
    Gets a memory snapshot for the process selected in the list of processespos 1* in the Analysis Path.

During the session, the profiler runs in the background. At any point, you can grab a memory snapshot by clicking Get Snapshot. This will capture the data and add the snapshot to the collected snapshot areapos 4. Getting a snapshot does not interrupt the profiling process, allowing you to get another snapshot (which, for example, can be compared with the first one later).
Timeline pos 3 shows how your app consumes memory in real time. The timeline consists of four charts showing instant sizes of Gen0, Gen1, Gen2 heaps and Large Object Heap. In addition, the timeline can show the instant size of unmanaged memory. To add this chart, select the Show unmanaged memory check box inpos 2.

After you capture enough data, you can proceed to analyzing profiling results.

Showing profiling controls in a separate window

You can detach the profiling controls to a separate Profiling Controller window by clicking the detached pcw button inpos 2. The controller window is always shown on top of other windows, which is especially helpful on desktops with only one monitor.

Last modified: 16 April 2018

See Also