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From: preston@ariel.rice.edu (Preston Briggs)
Newsgroups: comp.compilers
Subject: Re: Cost/Benefit of compiler optimization techniques?
Keywords: optimize, performance, design, bibliography
Message-ID: <1990Nov29.214837.11833@rice.edu>
Date: 29 Nov 90 21:48:37 GMT
References: <9011291619.AA01610@vivaldi.>
Sender: compilers-sender@iecc.cambridge.ma.us
Reply-To: preston@ariel.rice.edu (Preston Briggs)
Organization: Rice University, Houston
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Approved: compilers@iecc.cambridge.ma.us

> I am interested in finding out the "most useful" optimizations ...

Some papers, in no special order

	Effectiveness of a Machine-Level, Global Optimizer
	Johnson and Miller
	Sigplan '86, Compiler Construction Conference
	[studies based on HP's Spectrum compiler]

	Measurement of Program Improvement Algorithms
	Cocke and Markstein
	IFIP '80
	[early measurements of the PL.8 compiler]

	Simple Code Optimizations
	Hanson
	Software -- Practice and Experience, 1983
	[argues for, and present 3 simple, effective optimizations]

	A Portable Optimizing Compiler for Modula-2
	Powell
	Siplan '84, Compiler Construction Conference
	[specifically tried for "best, simple" optimizations]

In general though, it's difficult to talk about the effectiveness and
expense of specific optimizations in isolation.  Good optimizers do many
optimizations, counting in the combined effect to do a good job.  The
implementation costs are especially difficult.  For example, a strength
reducer alone might cost X amount.  But, if you've got a dead code
eliminator, the strength reducer is simpler and can make use of some
common code (data flow analysis, ...).

For some exceptionally profitable optimizations, see

	Improving Register Allocation for Subscripted Variables
	Callahan, Carr, Kennedy
	Sigplan '90, Programmling Language Design and Implementation

Preston
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