STUDYING COMPILER OPTIMIZATIONSON SUPERSCALAR PROCESSORSTHROUGH INTERVAL ANALYSIS
Nikhil Verma · 2014
Understanding the performance impact of compiler optimizations on superscalar processors is complicated because compiler optimizations interact with the microarchitecture in complex ways. This paper analyzes this interaction using interval analysis, an analytical processor model that allows for breaking total execution time into cycle components. By studying the impact of compiler optimizations on the various cycle components, one can gain insight into how compiler optimizations affect out-of-order processor performance. The analysis provided in this paper reveals various interesting insights and suggestions for future work on compiler optimizations for out-of-order processors. In addition, we contrast the effect compiler optimizations have on out-of-order versus in-order processors.