Linux 7.4 updates perf Python scripts and ARM64 instruction tracking

Linux 7.4 Git includes several updates to the perf subsystem tooling. All perf Python scripts have been adapted to use the Python perf module and support standalone execution, reports say. This module was created by Ian Rogers at Google as a Python C extension. The module includes improvements such as lazy sample callchains, event copies, GIL handling, and better session/thread lookup. Furthermore, the update introduces tools for graphical summaries and database exports.

Image: Phoronix

The update also brings instruction tracking to ARM64 for data type profiling. The feature helps the software identify various variable types during execution. As a result, data type profiling functions comparably on both ARM64 and x86 architectures. Other minor fixes and improvements to the perf tools are included in the update.