Java Profiling Workflow / Step 4 / Verify results

Verify performance optimizations through rigorous before/after comparison: ensure baseline and post-refactoring profiling data use identical test conditions, generate post-refactoring reports, compare metrics (memory, CPU, GC, threading), perform side-by-side flamegraph analysis, document findings in profiling-comparison-analysis-YYYYMMDD.md and profiling-final-results-YYYYMMDD.md, and validate success criteria.

What is covered in this Skill?

• Pre-refactoring baseline: run profiler with same load before changes
• Post-refactoring: generate new reports with identical test conditions
• Comparison: memory (leaks, allocations, GC), CPU (hotspots, contention), visual flamegraph comparison
• Documentation: profiler/docs/profiling-comparison-analysis-YYYYMMDD.md, profiler/docs/profiling-final-results-YYYYMMDD.md
• File naming: baseline/after suffixes, timestamp-based organization
• Validation: verify reports exist, compare metrics, identify regressions

Scope: Identical test conditions are critical. Document test scenarios. Validate application runs with refactored code before generating new reports.

Constraints

Use identical test conditions between baseline and post-refactoring. Verify both report sets are complete. Document test scenarios.

• CONSISTENCY: Use identical test conditions and load patterns for baseline and post-refactoring
• VALIDATE: Ensure both baseline and post-refactoring reports exist and are non-empty before comparison
• DOCUMENT: Record test scenarios and load patterns for reproduction
• BEFORE APPLYING: Read the reference for comparison templates and validation steps
• EDGE CASE: If request scope is ambiguous, stop and ask a clarifying question before applying changes
• EDGE CASE: If required inputs, files, or tooling are missing, report what is missing and ask whether to proceed with setup guidance

When to use this skill

• Verify performance fix
• Verify the performance
• Verify the memory
• Verify the threading
• Verify the GC
• Verify the profiling
• Compare before and after profiling results
• Performance benchmark
• Check for performance regressions after refactoring

Workflow

1. Read verification reference and confirm baseline data

Read references/164-java-profiling-verify.md and verify baseline artifacts exist and are non-empty.

2. Generate post-refactoring profiling data

Run profiling with identical load/test conditions to produce comparable post-refactoring artifacts.

3. Compare before/after metrics and visuals

Perform quantitative comparisons for memory/CPU/GC/threading and side-by-side flamegraph analysis.

4. Document final verification outcome

Create comparison and final results reports with regressions, gains, and reproducible scenario details.

Reference

For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/164-java-profiling-verify.md.