Re: kickass optimizing compilers?

Brandon J. Van Every wrote:
> Can anyone point me at compilers that are considered "state of the
> art" for optimized ASM generation? I don't care what language, or CPU
> platform, or whether it's freely or commercially available, or even if
> it only exists in a lab.


Well, we certainly consider our VectorC to be "state of the art" in
optimized ASM generation. Especially for games, graphics and audio
software. Our compiler for vector units is compared directly with
human-coded assembly language.


http://www.codeplay.com


An assembly language programmer will always have options open that
compilers do not have. For example, changing the calling-conventions
for a function or layout of data in memory. Compilers are restricted
in that they have to optimize what was written and are limited in what
they know and can change.


Another example: An assembly language programmer might keep a global
variable in a register over several function calls, but a compiler
would have to know exactly where each of those functions are all being
called from to be able to make such an optimization safely. In a large
C/C++ project, there is no requirement on programmers to provide this
information to the compiler.


We take the option of giving C/C++ programmers control over the
generated assembly, but it does require a little knowledge of the
compiler and target architecture from the C/C++ programmer.


While this post is clearly an advertisement ;-), I like to think that
it is an answer to the question.


--
Andrew Richards


Codeplay Software Limited - http://www.codeplay.com
Tel: +44 (0)131 466 0503

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