SystemTap & eBPF for Kernel Instrumentation

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Deep beneath the surface where the kernel breathes
SystemTap awakens, probing what it sees
Scripts that pierce the veil of running processes
Kprobes and uprobes mapping secret addresses
Translation phase converts your probe requests
Into C code modules, then the kernel tests

[Chorus]
Hook and trace, instrument the race
eBPF maps and SystemTap taps
Verifier checks, bytecode protects
Dynamic probing never stops
Trace the calls, catch them all
BPF programs in kernel space
Hook and trace, instrument the race

[Verse 2]
Berkeley Packet Filter evolved beyond its name
Virtual machine running in the kernel's frame
Bounded loops and limited stack space
Verifier ensures no infinite chase
Perf events trigger when conditions match
BPF maps store data in each catch

[Chorus]
Hook and trace, instrument the race
eBPF maps and SystemTap taps
Verifier checks, bytecode protects
Dynamic probing never stops
Trace the calls, catch them all
BPF programs in kernel space
Hook and trace, instrument the race

[Bridge]
Tapsets provide the vocabulary
Functions wrapped for clarity
BCC tools compile on demand
Libbpf gives you full command
From bpftrace one-liners quick
To complex probes that diagnose tricks

[Verse 3]
Performance counters tell the hidden tale
CPU cycles where your programs fail
Flame graphs reveal the hottest spots
Histogram buckets connect the dots
Safety first in kernel territory
No crashes in your debugging story

[Chorus]
Hook and trace, instrument the race
eBPF maps and SystemTap taps
Verifier checks, bytecode protects
Dynamic probing never stops
Trace the calls, catch them all
BPF programs in kernel space
Hook and trace, instrument the race

[Outro]
From function entry to syscall exit
Every instruction you can visit
Kernel mysteries unveiled at last
Through instrumentation unsurpassed

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