DECtrace for VMS

This manual serves as a user's guide for DECtrace for VMS Version 1.0, a software product designed for collecting and reporting event-based data from VMS layered products and applications. It operates by gathering data at predefined event locations within program code rather than on a timer, making it suitable for performance tuning, capacity planning, debugging, and error logging.

The document outlines the complete workflow for users and developers:

1. Facility Selection: Users define which data to collect from specific applications and layered products by creating facility selections.
2. Data Collection Scheduling: Users schedule when, how much, and where to store the collected event-based data. The DECtrace Registrar process manages communications and active collections.
3. Data Formatting & Reporting: Collected raw data files are merged and formatted into an Rdb/VMS database or VAX RMS file, from which various reports (Detail, Frequency, Summary) can be generated.
4. Application Instrumentation: Developers learn to integrate DECtrace service routine calls into their source code to define events (point or duration) and associated data items, and create facility definitions to be stored in the DECtrace administration database.

The guide also covers system management tasks, including account and process quotas, starting and stopping DECtrace, system crash recovery, and performance optimization tips. It provides comprehensive reference material for all DECtrace commands and service routines.