Method for estimating execution rates of program execution paths

摘要: A method is provided for estimating execution rates of program executions paths. The method samples path-identifying state information of selected instructions while executing the program in a processor. A control flow graph of the program is supplied, the control flow graph includes a plurality of path segments. The control flow graph is analyzed using the path-identifying state information to identify a set of path segments that are consistent with the sampled state information. The set of paths segments can be counted to determine their relative execution frequencies.