Tracking the Output of an executable.

jet36 · 12-10-2016, 03:21 AM

Hey I have a file that is executable only and I need a way to find out where the output of the file is going when I execute it. I have tried looking for newly made files but none seem to match the time when I ran the file. Are they any tools to help me with this?

aragorn2101 · 12-10-2016, 04:35 AM

Hi,

You can use the strace command. It tracks system calls and signals involving the process.

Code:

strace COMMAND   (will print results on stdout: command line)
strace -o LOGFILE COMMAND    (will print results in the text file LOGFILE)

e.g

Code:

strace -o strace_ls.log  ls -l

So, for the executable you will do this, assuming you are in the directory where the executable is found:

Code:

strace -o YOURLOGFILE ./EXECUTABLE

business_kid · 12-10-2016, 04:52 AM

Yes, there are tools, but that is about all I can say with the information you have given us.

Have you checked your homedir? What program is it?

jet36 · 12-10-2016, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aragorn2101

Hi,

You can use the strace command. It tracks system calls and signals involving the process.

Code:

strace COMMAND   (will print results on stdout: command line)
strace -o LOGFILE COMMAND    (will print results in the text file LOGFILE)

e.g

Code:

strace -o strace_ls.log  ls -l

So, for the executable you will do this, assuming you are in the directory where the executable is found:

Code:

strace -o YOURLOGFILE ./EXECUTABLE

This is wonderful and helpful, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

Madhu Desai · 12-10-2016, 07:52 AM

You can find more info on strace here:

8 Options to Trace/Debug Programs using Linux strace Command