tablix(1)
NAME
tablix_benchmark - Tablix benchmark utility
SYNOPSIS
tablix_benchmark benchmark [ options ] " Tablix options " file
DESCRIPTION
Tablix is a high school timetable generator. It uses a coarse-grained
parallel genetic algorithm to construct sensible timetables from
XML-formated school information files. It can run on a single host as well
as on a heterogeneous parallel virtual machine by using PVM3.
tablix_benchmark is used to test the effect of different Tablix command line
options on the final result. In most tests Tablix is started multiple times
with the same input file to provide more reliable results. Each time Tablix is
started, three variables are measured: the grade (fitness) of the resulting
timetable, serial number of the last generation and elapsed time (in seconds).
When a test is finished, the average for each variable, as well as the maximum
and minimum values are printed on standard output. The exact format depends on
each test.
The actual timetable that is generated during these tests is stored under the
default filename in the current directory. In case the test includes multiple
Tablix runs only the last generated timetable remains in the directory after
tablix_benchmark exits.
In some cases tests can take several days to complete. Because the genetic
algorithm can in some cases go into an endless loop, it is always advisable to
limit Tablix execution time with the -t option. This way at least the maximum
execution time for a test can be calculated. tablix_benchmark will detect
when the time limit set by the -t option was reached. This information will be
included in the final statistics.
OPTIONS
- The following tests are supported:
tablix_benchmark --single "OPTIONS" file Execute a single Tablix run using OPTIONS and print the results. - tablix_benchmark --multiple N "OPTIONS" FILE Execute N Tablix runs using OPTIONS and print the statistics.
- tablix_benchmark --graph START STEP STOP "OPTIONS" FILE Execute multiple Tablix runs. N in OPTIONS is changed from START to STOP by STEP . Output is gnuplot friendly.
- tablix_benchmark --multi-graph M START STEP STOP "OPTIONS" FILE Execute multiple Tablix runs. N in OPTIONS is changed from START to STOP by STEP . M Tablix runs are executed for each value of N . Output is gnuplot friendly (use errorbars).
EXAMPLES
- The following test can be for example used to see the minimum grade, that can
be reached with this configuration file:
tablix_benchmark --multiple 5 "-t 90 -n 5" sample.xml - Tablix will be started five times. Each time with five computing nodes and
- with 90 minute time limit.
- tablix_benchmark can also provide useful data for developers. Following test
- can be used to check the effect of the number of computing nodes on the total
- time required to obtain the result:
- tablix_benchmark --multi-graph 5 1 1 10 "-t 90 -n N" sample.xml >
- stats.txt
- Tablix will be started 50 times. 5 times for each value of N (which in this
- case means the number of nodes). Ten values of N will be probed: from 1 to 10
- with steps of 1. The output will be redirected to stats.txt . A graph of aver
- age computing time versus number of nodes can then be produced in gnuplot with
- the following command:
- plot "test.txt" using ($1):($8):($9):($10) with yerrorbars
AUTHOR
Tomaz Solc (tomaz.solc@siol.net)
SEE ALSO
tablix(1), Tablix User's Manual, Tablix modules HOWTO, Tablix on Morphix HOWTO