ltrace

ltrace is a command line tool used in Unix-like systems to trace library calls made by a program. It allows users to analyze and troubleshoot programs by intercepting and displaying the dynamic library calls that the program makes during its execution.

By tracing library calls, ltrace provides insight into the interaction between the program and the libraries it depends on, thus helping in understanding program behavior, identifying performance bottlenecks, and identifying functional issues.

ltrace displays a detailed list of the function calls made by the program, along with arguments and return values, making it a powerful debugging tool. This information is presented in a structured and readable format, allowing developers to easily analyze program execution and identify problematic areas.

Using command line options, ltrace can be customized to filter specific library calls or focus on certain functions of interest. Additionally, ltrace supports the tracing of multiple processes simultaneously, aiding in analyzing complex interactions between different components of a system.

While primarily used for troubleshooting and debugging, ltrace can also be utilized in reverse engineering and analysis of binary files. Its versatility and flexibility make it a valuable tool for anyone dealing with program analysis or understanding the underlying behavior of running programs.