fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" `lo' per-thread maximum rate of ~10 samples/second\n"));
fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" `on' per-thread maximum rate of ~100 samples/second\n"));
fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" `hi' per-thread maximum rate of ~1000 samples/second\n\n"));
- fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" <rate> == <interval>\n"));
- fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" event interval; see collect (1) for details\n\n"));
+ fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" <rate> == <interval>\n"
+ " Fixed event interval value to trigger a sample.\n"
+ " Smaller intervals imply more frequent samples.\n"
+ " Example: when counting cycles on a 2 GHz processor,\n"
+ " an interval of 2,000,003 implies ~1000 samples/sec\n"
+ "\n"
+ " Use this feature with caution, because:\n"
+ " (1) Frequent sampling increases overhead and may disturb \n"
+ " other applications on your system.\n"
+ " (2) Event counts vary dramatically depending on the event \n"
+ " and depending on the application.\n"
+ " (3) A fixed event interval disables any other gprofng\n"
+ " internal mechanisms that may limit event rates.\n"
+ "\n"
+ " Guidelines: Aim at <1000 events per second. Start by \n"
+ " collecting with the 'hi' option; in the experiment overview,\n"
+ " notice how many events are recorded per second; divide by\n"
+ " 1000, and use that as your starting point.\n\n"));
fprintf (f_usage, GTXT (" A comma ',' followed immediately by white space may be omitted.\n\n"));
}