Disclosed is a system and method for a profiling system wherein profile
data is stored in a separable hierarchical fashion such that profile data
for each compiled procedure in a computer program can be readily
identified and utilized. In particular, each source module has a
corresponding profile data file and each procedure has a corresponding
procedure profile area. The system and method also includes a mechanism
for verifying the existence and validity of profile information, and a
mechanism for handling invalid profile information.