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Re: basic-block and profile-based optimizing (was Re: New attribute "infrequent"?)
On Fri, Aug 31, 2001 at 06:25:09PM +0200, Andreas Jaeger wrote:
> You cannot profile accuratly the C library. It can be profiled - but
> I don't expect that it's realistic:
>
> - What kind of application will you use? This needs to be a
> self-written application that calls all calls with typical
> arguments.
> - How will you handle exceptional stuff? Should those be called by
> the special application? For example should strerror be called - or
> not?
> - There're plenty of different types of applications and it's
> difficult to model even some of them.
I agree getting a useful profile for the general case is as you point out not easy at all,
and carries the risk of un-optimising common cases under particular workloads.
your points are valid for a library intended for general use. However, it is possible
to optimise a specific instance of the library on a particular machine.
This can be useful if machines are intended for a particular workload, and solves
the problem of needing a "typical" library user - you use the /real/ ones.
This requires a continuous profiler such as DCPI or (shameless plug) my x86 prototype
oprofile.sf.net
regards
john
--
"I'm not sure which upsets me more: that people are so unwilling to accept
responsibility for their own actions, or that they are so eager to regulate
everyone else's."
- Kee Hinckley