Reuse of compiler analysis in a programming environment
M. P. Blivens, Mary Lou Soffa · 1989
Productivity in the development of software can be increased by reusing code and design analysis. Following this approach we have developed an incremental optimizing compiler that reuses target code and compiler analysis. In order to be practical, it shares a database of information with other tools in a programming environment. The analysis performed by a compiler is reused to greatly reduce the recompilation time during program development and to incrementally produce target code that is optimized across a larger unit than the unit of recompilation. The resulting code is as optimized as that produced in a batch environment, while saving up to 96% of the time for recompilation. The database used in the incremental optimizing compiler is also useful for other tools in a programming environment and is an approach to solving the problems of debugging optimized code.