Estimating the Energy Footprint of Software Systems: a Primer

TL;DR

This paper provides an overview of methods to estimate the energy footprint of software systems, addressing methodological challenges and practical considerations to support Green Software Development efforts.

Contribution

It offers a high-level guide on estimating software energy consumption, highlighting key issues and trade-offs for researchers entering this field.

Findings

Identifies key concepts in software energy estimation

Discusses methodological challenges and trade-offs

Provides practical guidance for researchers

Abstract

In Green Software Development, quantifying the energy footprint of a software system is one of the most basic activities. This documents provides a high-level overview of how the energy footprint of a software system can be estimated to support Green Software Development. We introduce basic concepts in the area, highlight methodological issues that must be accounted for when conducting experiments, discuss trade-offs associated with different estimation approaches, and make some practical considerations. This document aims to be a starting point for researchers who want to begin conducting work in this area.