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(gprof.info)Symspecs

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Symspecs
========

   Many of the output options allow functions to be included or excluded
using "symspecs" (symbol specifications), which observe the following
syntax:

       filename_containing_a_dot
     | funcname_not_containing_a_dot
     | linenumber
     | ( [ any_filename ] `:' ( any_funcname | linenumber ) )

   Here are some sample symspecs:

`main.c'
     Selects everything in file `main.c'--the dot in the string tells
     `gprof' to interpret the string as a filename, rather than as a
     function name.  To select a file whose name does not contain a
     dot, a trailing colon should be specified.  For example, `odd:' is
     interpreted as the file named `odd'.

`main'
     Selects all functions named `main'.

     Note that there may be multiple instances of the same function name
     because some of the definitions may be local (i.e., static).
     Unless a function name is unique in a program, you must use the
     colon notation explained below to specify a function from a
     specific source file.

     Sometimes, function names contain dots.  In such cases, it is
     necessary to add a leading colon to the name.  For example,
     `:.mul' selects function `.mul'.

     In some object file formats, symbols have a leading underscore.
     `gprof' will normally not print these underscores.  When you name a
     symbol in a symspec, you should type it exactly as `gprof' prints
     it in its output.  For example, if the compiler produces a symbol
     `_main' from your `main' function, `gprof' still prints it as
     `main' in its output, so you should use `main' in symspecs.

`main.c:main'
     Selects function `main' in file `main.c'.

`main.c:134'
     Selects line 134 in file `main.c'.