PTrace Reference Manual

Using PTrace

PTrace Reference Manual—526393-001

2-2

Starting an Interactive Session

NOWAIT

means that TACL/SCF does not wait while PTrace runs but returns a

command input prompt after sending the startup message to PTrace. If you

omit this option, TACL/SCF pauses while PTrace runs.

OUT [ file-name ]

designates the initial destination for PTrace display output for the session. If

OUT is omitted, the output destination defaults to the output file of the

TACL/SCF process through which PTrace is being initiated (usually a

terminal).

If OUT is specified and file-name is omitted, PTrace output is discarded. If

an existing disk file is specified, its data is purged and new data is written to

the file. If a nonexistent disk file is specified, PTrace creates a disk file in EDIT

file format. The primary and secondary extent sizes of the file created are 4

pages and 16 pages, respectively, and the MAXEXTENTS value is 16. For

more information, refer to Setting the Initial Output Destination on page 2-3.

ptrace-command

is a PTrace command that is to be executed immediately after PTrace is initiated. If

one or more PTrace commands are specified in the RUN command, PTrace

executes the commands and then issues its prompt. If PTrace encounters an error

in one of the commands, it terminates immediately.

The following TACL RUN command instructs PTrace to read its commands from a file

called PTRACE.FIRSTRUN and to write its display output to a file called

PTRACE.FIRSTOUT. TACL resumes control of the session while PTrace is executing

because of the NOWAIT option.

1> PTRACE/IN PTRACE.FIRSTRUN, OUT PTRACE.FIRSTOUT, NOWAIT/

The following TACL command line instructs PTrace to display the current session

parameter settings, specify trace file X25TRACE, count and display the number of

records in the file, and exit.

2> PTRACE; ENV; FROM X25TRACE; COUNT; EXIT

Starting an Interactive Session

To start PTrace interactively, type PTRACE at the TACL/SCF prompt. PTrace then

displays its product banner, followed by its prompt, the question mark (?). When you

see the prompt, you can type a PTrace command. When you are finished using

PTrace, type EXIT to return to TACL or SCF.

The following example shows the PTrace product banner, copyright line, and PTrace

prompt that appear after you enter PTRACE at the TACL command line:

PTRACE - Trace Formatter - T9385D30 - (31OCT94) -(07SEP94)