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Minor suggestion


Hi,

today I was thinking about the gcc compiler. I run a source distribution (Gentoo Linux), and found out that simultaneous compilation of multiple packages actually takes longer than compiling them in sequence, because of scheduling overhead.
Then I asked myself: why does gcc not compile multiple source files in one go, using threads? This reduces overhead and is still quicker, mainly because for example header files only have to be compiled once, and inter-source file dependencies can be resolved at an earlier stage, and all the other possible optimizations you guys can think of.
I realise that this would mean a huge rewrite, if not a terrible "start from scratch". However, it would (IMHO) change compiling forever...


That's it for my wild idea. Whatever your answer, thank you guys for this brilliant piece of work.

Cheers,

Simon
--
"Yesterday is history, today is a gift and tomorrow is a mystery"
E: simon <at-sign> dehartog.nl
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