'\"
'\" Generated from file 'bench_intro\&.man' by tcllib/doctools with format 'nroff'
'\" Copyright (c) 2007 Andreas Kupries <andreas_kupries@users\&.sourceforge\&.net>
'\"
.TH "bench_intro" 3tcl 1\&.0 tcllib "Benchmarking/Performance tools"
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.SH NAME
bench_intro \- bench introduction
.SH DESCRIPTION
.PP
The \fIbench\fR (short for \fIbenchmark tools\fR), is a set of
related, yet different, entities which are working together for the
easy creation and execution of performance test suites, also known as
benchmarks\&. These are
.IP [1]
A tcl based language for the declaration of test cases\&. A test case is
represented by a tcl command declaring the various parts needed to
execute it, like setup, cleanup, the commands to test, etc\&.
.IP [2]
A package providing the ability to execute test cases written in that
language\&.
.PP
.PP
Which of the more detailed documents are relevant to the reader of
this introduction depends on their role in the benchmarking process\&.
.PP
.IP [1]
A \fIwriter\fR of benchmarks has to understand the bench language
itself\&. A beginner to bench should read the more informally written
\fIbench language introduction\fR first\&. Having digested this the
formal \fIbench language specification\fR should become
understandable\&. A writer experienced with bench may only need this
last document from time to time, to refresh her memory\&.
.IP [2]
A \fIuser\fR of benchmark suites written in the \fIbench\fR language
has to know which tools are available for use\&.
At the bottom level sits the package \fBbench\fR, providing the
basic facilities to read and execute files containing benchmarks
written in the bench language, and to manipulate benchmark results\&.
.PP
.SH "HISTORICAL NOTES"
This module and package have been derived from Jeff Hobbs'
\fBtclbench\fR application for the benchmarking of the Tcl core and
its ancestor "\fIrunbench\&.tcl\fR"\&.
.SH "BUGS, IDEAS, FEEDBACK"
This document, and the package it describes, will undoubtedly contain
bugs and other problems\&.
Please report such in the category \fIbench\fR of the
\fITcllib Trackers\fR [http://core\&.tcl\&.tk/tcllib/reportlist]\&.
Please also report any ideas for enhancements you may have for either
package and/or documentation\&.
.PP
When proposing code changes, please provide \fIunified diffs\fR,
i\&.e the output of \fBdiff -u\fR\&.
.PP
Note further that \fIattachments\fR are strongly preferred over
inlined patches\&. Attachments can be made by going to the \fBEdit\fR
form of the ticket immediately after its creation, and then using the
left-most button in the secondary navigation bar\&.
.SH "SEE ALSO"
bench, bench_lang_faq, bench_lang_intro, bench_lang_spec
.SH KEYWORDS
bench language, benchmark, performance, testing
.SH CATEGORY
Benchmark tools
.SH COPYRIGHT
.nf
Copyright (c) 2007 Andreas Kupries <andreas_kupries@users\&.sourceforge\&.net>

.fi