Tips & Tricks: Using ActiveFile to Identify Memory Leaks
One of my favorite file managers/system utilities is one that I have yet to talk about here on SiMo. ActiveFile by Alie Tan is an incredibly feature-rich freeware utility that first separated itself from other file managers by implementing tabbed browsing. By providing you with two file browser tabs, ActiveFile allows you to easily navigate different directories simultaneously and utilize advanced copy/paste/move functionality. Since Alie first released this great app he has done an excellent job of consistently adding more unique features and also keeping up with competitive apps by adding various functionality that has come to be expected in an s60 file manager.
Among the new functionality in recent builds of this app is a very cool little feature called memory monitor. I have a tremendous number of apps installed on my devices at all times. Beyond that I’m constantly testing beta apps. As such, there are leaks galore on my device and I know I’m not alone. As strict as Symbian Signed guidelines are these days, they still seem to let plenty of apps through with all kinds of issues including memory leaks. Most S60 devices already have enough issues with free RAM so leaks are a VERY big deal.
ActiveFile’s memory monitor provides you with real-time RAM analysis in a small box that will remain in the foreground on all screens. Do you have an app that you think is leaking? Just leave the memory monitor running while you use the questionable app and see how your free RAM looks during and after operation. When an app closes it can take a while for most or all of the occupied memory to be recovered. Even if your free RAM is a bit light after using an app it’s not such a big deal. It’s the apps that release little or no RAM after use, or that continue to occupy more and more RAM during use that you have to watch out for.
To enable the memory monitor, simply choose Start memory monitor from within Options -> Tools as seen above. The default placement is in the top left corner of your screen but this is configurable from within the memory monitor settings. Go to Options -> Settings -> Memory monitor to enter the configuration screen where you’ll find two settings. Mem. monitor location allows you to adjust the placement of the memory monitor box and Mem. monitor sample rate determines the frequency that the memory monitor will be refreshed with your current available RAM.
You now have a great tool in the foreground of any screen that will constantly update with readings of your free RAM.
There are a few issues I have with the current operation of the ActiveFile memory monitor but it’s still a relatively new feature so I’m hoping Alie will work them out in future builds. For one thing, the memory monitor settings revert back to default each time you exit the app. Since I want the monitor top center in most situations this is a bit of a pain for me. Also, I wish that ActiveFile had a Hide option on the right softkey as opposed to Exit (Exit should be within the Options menu only). To reduce ActiveFile to the background as-is you need to press the menu key or perform another function that will auto-reduce the app.
The memory monitor is only one small reason that I enjoy using ActiveFile. I highly recommend that you head over to the ActiveFile page linked above and check it out. On the Attachments tab you’ll find several versions and you should note that to enjoy certain features in ActiveFile (such as screen capture) you’ll need to sign the unsigned version with a developer certificate.
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