A Software Engineer's Tips and Tricks #3: CPU Utilization Is Not Always What It Seems

The third edition of a blog series "Tips and Tricks" delves into the nuances of CPU utilization, challenging the common perception that high CPU usage equates to a processor being maxed out. It highlights insights from Brendan Gregg, a performance engineer, who explains that high CPU usage can often be misleading as it may simply indicate the CPU is waiting for memory I/O rather than performing intensive computations. The post encourages readers to reconsider the metrics they rely on by exploring tools such as iotop or perf for a more accurate assessment of system performance. It also invites readers to explore further readings and offers ways to engage with the authors for additional feedback or suggestions.