Re: Language-independent functions-as-trees representation

[Phil Edwards <phil@jaj.com>]

On Mon, Jul 22, 2002 at 01:35:30AM -0400, Daniel Berlin wrote:
> On Sun, 21 Jul 2002, Phil Edwards wrote:
> > > It would only make sense with whole program optimizations for
> > > interprocedural analysis.  Currently GCC does not do anything of this
> > > kind but we should think forward and whole program optimizations is
> > > something that some of us might want to see.
> > 
> > I was under the impression that this kind of whole-program IPA could only
> > be done in the linker.  Or at least, in whatever tool is performing the
> > role of the linker.
> 
> Only?
> Certainly not, there are tons of ways to do it.

Sorry, I was thinking of the present situation, where the compiler (usually)
never sees the whole program at once.

> And it's not usually done "in" the linker.
> The linker just calls the front/middle/back end (varies by compiler), 
> with the names of all the objects,

Ah, hadn't thought of that.  Usually when I think of IPA, I think of a
smarter linker, rather than a smarter back end with a linker that knows
how to call back to it.

> or, loads a shared lib and hands it 
> the sections that contain the IPA data.

Hmmmm...


Phil

-- 
If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater
than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace.  We seek
not your counsel, nor your arms.  Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you;
and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.            - Samuel Adams