Machine-independent optimization
A global optimizer is a key and necessary component
of a high-performance compiler.
Vpo
has been used to build several high-quality
compilers and other program transformation and analysis tools.
Vpo uses a paradigm of compilation that has
proven to be flexible and adaptable---all code improving transformations
are performed on a target-specific representation of the program
as register-transfer lists (RTLs).
When compiling a program,
vpo attempts all possible improvements; improvements are inhibited
dynamically only when their results cannot be expressed as
instructions on the target machine.
Aggressive use of this paradigm yields several
valuable properties.
- Vpo is language- and compiler-independent.
For example, it has been used with several C front ends, each of
which generates a different intermediate language.
-
Because all
code improvements are applied to a single low-level intermediate
representation, phase ordering problems are
minimized.
-
Vpo is
easily retargeted and handles a wide variety of architectures.
- Because of its flexible structure,
vpo has several other interesting uses in addition to its primary use
in an optimizing compiler.
To connect your compiler to Vpo, consult the code-generation interfaces.
You can also
read an article about vpo's design (200K) or get the software.
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