Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:43 AM AWST

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Debug and monitor applications

Debug and monitor applications

Unit of competency
National Code
ICAPRG503A
State Code
D8018
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/07/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/11/2011
Field of Education
020103 - Programming
Original Release Date
08/11/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to debug and monitor a software application.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Implement a framework for logging and error handling
  • 1.1 Determine the logging framework for writing text messages at a certain level or priority to log files or sending data to monitoring applications
  • 1.2 Create a custom event log for an application
  • 1.3 Analyse the logs to check the state of the running application
2. Debug and trace an application
  • 2.1 Apply basic debugging techniques such as breakpoints and stepping through and over code and stack trace
  • 2.2 Identify and use tools to debug software applications
  • 2.3 Write code for debugging (print, assert and stop statements)
3. Monitor the application performance
  • 3.1 Identify and use profiling tools to verify the parts of the system that consume the most resources, such as random access memory (RAM), central processing unit (CPU) and time
  • 3.2 Analyse performance issues and apply changes to improve the performance of the application
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Logging framework may include:
Java logging framework:
Apache Commons Logging
Java Logging application programming interface (API)
Log4J
SLF4J
.NET logging and tracing tools:
C# Logger
DebugWriter
Log4net
LogThis
Logview4net
Microsoft’s Enterprise Library
NetTrace
TrafficMonitor.
Level may include:
debug
error
fatal
information
trace
warning.
Tools may include:
Eclipse debugger
Firebug (JavaScript debugger)
Java debugger
NetBeans debugger
Visual Studio debugger
WinDBG, NTSD, and CDB to debug .NET applications.
Profiling tools may include:
CLR profiler
Microsoft operations manager
open-source profilers in Java:
Cougaar Memory Profiler
Extensible Java Profiler
JMP
NetBeans Profiler
TomcatProbe
structured query language (SQL) profiler
system monitor
Visual Studio profiler.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
create error logging framework topersist error logs, debug and trace an application, and plan a performance-monitoring strategy
use debugging techniques and tools, and profiling tools and analyse performance issues.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
client and server system
sufficient privileges to access and use performance monitoring tools in client and server systems
debugging tools
specific tools and licences, depending on particular platform
appropriate learning and assessment support when required
modified equipment for people with special needs.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
written or verbal questioning of debugging, diagnostics and monitoring strategy
evaluation of candidate’s logging framework and custom event log for an application
direct observation of candidate using an integrated development environment (IDE) for code development and debugging and the monitoring applications.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.
In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AUV76 ICTPRG503 Debug and monitor applications Unit of competency