Folk Theorem: Assemblers are superior to Compilers

> Folk Theorems
>[assembler code is 1) faster and 2) smaller than compiler code]


Given an infinite amount of time and comparable knowledge, an assembler
coder writes faster code than a C programmer because the C programmer is
constrained by the compiler. However, an assembler programmer cannot
write as fast and as compact code as a microcoder because the assembler
programmer is constrained by the architecture. The micro-coder cannot
produce as fast as a solution as a hardware engineer because the micro
coder is constrained by the bit slice technology. Get the drift... The
people at the top of the food chain have more constraints built-in.


Now, given a fixed time, the people at the top of the chain generally
produce faster solutions because they can spend more time looking at the
problem rather than fighting the technology. The correct data structures
and algorithms with decent code can always beat poor data structures and
algorithms with highly optimized code.


Most of us have schedules and need to find the most productive way of
reaching our goals.


Thank you.
Steve Simmons
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