Python threading settrace Function

The threading.settrace function in Python's threading module sets a trace function for all threads started from the calling thread. This can be useful for debugging and profiling, as it allows you to track the execution of all threads.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. threading.settrace Function Syntax
  3. Examples
    • Basic Usage
    • Using a Trace Function
    • Profiling Threads
  4. Real-World Use Case
  5. Conclusion

Introduction

The threading.settrace function allows you to specify a trace function that will be called for every line of code executed in every thread started from the calling thread. This can be particularly useful for debugging and profiling multithreaded applications.

threading.settrace Function Syntax

Here is how you use the threading.settrace function:

import threading

threading.settrace(tracefunc)

Parameters:

  • tracefunc: A function that will be used as the trace function.

Examples

Basic Usage

Set a simple trace function that prints each line of code executed.

Example

import threading
import sys

def tracefunc(frame, event, arg):
    if event == "line":
        lineno = frame.f_lineno
        co = frame.f_code
        filename = co.co_filename
        name = co.co_name
        print(f"Tracing {name} at {filename}:{lineno}")
    return tracefunc

def worker():
    print("Worker thread is running")
    x = 10
    y = 20
    print(f"x + y = {x + y}")

threading.settrace(tracefunc)
thread = threading.Thread(target=worker)
thread.start()
thread.join()

Output:

Tracing worker at <filename>:11
Tracing worker at <filename>:12
Tracing worker at <filename>:13
Tracing worker at <filename>:14
Worker thread is running
x + y = 30

Using a Trace Function

Use a more complex trace function to log thread activity.

Example

import threading
import sys

def tracefunc(frame, event, arg):
    if event == "line":
        lineno = frame.f_lineno
        co = frame.f_code
        filename = co.co_filename
        name = co.co_name
        print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} - {event} - {name} at {filename}:{lineno}")
    return tracefunc

def worker():
    print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} is running")
    for i in range(5):
        print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} - {i}")

threading.settrace(tracefunc)
threads = []
for i in range(3):
    thread = threading.Thread(target=worker, name=f"Worker-{i}")
    threads.append(thread)
    thread.start()

for thread in threads:
    thread.join()

Output:

Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:13
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:14
Worker-0 is running
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 - 0
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 - 1
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 - 2
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 - 3
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 - 4
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:13
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:14
Worker-1 is running
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-1 - 0
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-1 - 1
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-1 - 2
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-1 - 3
Worker-1 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-1 - 4
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:13
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:14
Worker-2 is running
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-2 - 0
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-2 - 1
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-2 - 2
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-2 - 3
Worker-2 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-2 - 4

Profiling Threads

Use a trace function to profile the execution time of each line of code.

Example

import threading
import sys
import time

def tracefunc(frame, event, arg):
    if event == "line":
        lineno = frame.f_lineno
        co = frame.f_code
        filename = co.co_filename
        name = co.co_name
        print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} - {event} - {name} at {filename}:{lineno}")
    return tracefunc

def worker():
    print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} is running")
    for i in range(5):
        time.sleep(0.1)
        print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} - {i}")

threading.settrace(tracefunc)
threads = []
for i in range(3):
    thread = threading.Thread(target=worker, name=f"Worker-{i}")
    threads.append(thread)
    thread.start()

for thread in threads:
    thread.join()

Output:

Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:14
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:15
Worker-0 is running
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:16
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:17
Worker-0 - 0
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:16
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:17
Worker-0 - 1
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:16
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:17
Worker-0 - 2
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:16
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:17
Worker-0 - 3
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:16
Worker-0 - line - worker at <filename>:17
Worker-0 - 4
...

Real-World Use Case

Debugging Deadlocks

Use threading.settrace to trace thread activity and identify potential deadlocks.

Example

import threading
import time

def tracefunc(frame, event, arg):
    if event == "line":
        lineno = frame.f_lineno
        co = frame.f_code
        filename = co.co_filename
        name = co.co_name
        print(f"{threading.current_thread().name} - {event} - {name} at {filename}:{lineno}")
    return tracefunc

lock1 = threading.Lock()
lock2 = threading.Lock()

def worker1():
    with lock1:
        time.sleep(1)
        with lock2:
            print("Worker 1")

def worker2():
    with lock2:
        time.sleep(1)
        with lock1:
            print("Worker 2")

threading.settrace(tracefunc)
thread1 = threading.Thread(target=worker1, name="Worker1")
thread2 = threading.Thread(target=worker2, name="Worker2")

thread1.start()
thread2.start()

thread1.join()
thread2.join()

Output:

Worker1 - line - worker1 at <filename>:22
Worker1 - line - worker1 at <filename>:23
Worker2 - line - worker2 at <filename>:27
Worker2 - line - worker2 at <filename>:28
...

Conclusion

The threading.settrace function is used for tracing the execution of all threads in Python. It can be used for debugging, profiling, and identifying issues such as deadlocks in multithreaded applications. Proper usage can significantly enhance the visibility and control of your multithreaded programs.

Comments

Spring Boot 3 Paid Course Published for Free
on my Java Guides YouTube Channel

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (165K+ subscribers):
Java Guides Channel

Top 10 My Udemy Courses with Huge Discount:
Udemy Courses - Ramesh Fadatare