How to measure XAML/UI performance in Universal Windows App?

Question

I'm building a Universal Windows App (UWP) using the "Blank App" Visual C# template in Visual Studio. I want to measure two data points when I run my app:

• How long does it take for the UI to fully update after a XAML element is created/changed?
• How long does the program take to process the XAML elements internally, regardless of whether or not the changes are reflected in the UI yet?

For the first point, let's say I'm creating an app that has 5 ToggleSwitches defined as XAML in MainPage.xaml. I want to measure how long it takes for the UI to show all 5 ToggleSwitches. I've placed a Stopwatch timer right before the this.InitializeComponent() command in MainPage.xaml.cs (as I assume this is where the processing of Designer XAML elements begins). I want to stop the timer as soon as the window is properly painted. I've experimented with the Loaded and LayoutUpdated events for a XAML element, but neither is triggered as the UI is updated. Where do I place my timer to get the data I seek? If I'm stepping through code in the debugger, at what line of code would "Step Over" cause the UI to refresh?

For the second point, I just want to record how long the computer takes to internally process the XAML code (not including rendering the UI, running the composition engine, processing with Direct3D - just processing the XAML). My first instinct was to simply start the Stopwatch before this.InitializeComponent() and end immediately afterwards. However, I'm not seeing a change in data based on the content of the page. For example, whether I run my app with 100 ToggleSwitches or 5 ToggleSwitches defined on the XAML Designer, the this.InitializeComponent() method takes the same amount of time. Any ideas how I can better measure this data point?

Any help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Application Timeline tool could probably help you (available with Visual Studio 2015).

_{(source: s-msft.com)}

Analyze UI responsiveness with the Application Timeline tool https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn957934.aspx