Pypen: Code instrumentation tool for dynamic analysis and energy efficiency evaluation

What is it about?

This publication presents Pypen, a tool that helps developers see which exact parts of their software consume the most energy while a program is running. Instead of only measuring total energy use, Pypen links real hardware-based energy measurements with specific methods in the code. This allows developers to identify energy-hungry methods, understand why they are inefficient, and focus their optimization efforts where they matter most. By making energy consumption visible at the code level, this work supports the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly software.

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Why is it important?

Software consumes energy every time it runs, contributing to environmental impact and operational costs. However, developers usually lack tools that show where energy is actually being spent inside their code. Without this insight, it is difficult to improve software efficiency in a meaningful way. This work makes energy consumption visible at the level of individual code methods, enabling informed decisions and targeted improvements. By revealing which parts of software are responsible for high energy consumption, this research supports the development of more energy-efficient and sustainable software systems. It helps developers reduce unnecessary energy use, lowers the environmental footprint of software, and provides researchers with a practical tool to study the energy impact of programming and design choices.