The X Performance Characterization (XPC) project group is testing a new standard benchmark that will measure X-server performance based on typical user applications.

The software, called the Xlib Playback Benchmark (XPB), includes a set of recording and playback programs that will allow for standardized measurement of X-server performance across different hardware platforms. It was developed for the XPC group by Computing Clarity, a graphics software development firm based in Eugene, Ore.

In addition to verifying their XPB ports, XPC project group members are working on developing standard benchmarking files. Files currently under investigation are designed to characterize X performance for CDE, Mentor Graphics, Frame and Pro/Engineer applications. The test files will be derived from live recording sessions of users working with typical functions from a selected application. Performance results from the standard benchmark files will be reported by XPC subcommittee members in this publication. The XPB will also allow users to record Xlib calls from their own applications.

Xlib has become the standard application programming interface (API) for 2D graphics software developers. Currently, the XPC group offers Xmark93, a primitive-level benchmarking tool, for measuring 2D graphics performance. The XPB is expected to be a much superior graphics performance measurement tool, since it incorporates recordings of actual user applications.

The XPC project group plans to have the first public demonstration of XPB at the GPC Group's August 7 press conference at SIGGRAPH '96. Reporting of performance results under the XPB is expected before the end of 1996. The final version of the XPB will be freely available to the public.