System and method for software code optimization

• US 20020066088A1
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Original Assignee: Cadence Design Systems Incorporated (Cadence Group)
• Inventors: Canut, Frederic, Derras, Mustapha
• Application Number:
  US09/765,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20020066088A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/151
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/318342 by preliminary fault modelling, e.g. analysis, simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/318357 Simulation computer simulation of digital circuits G06F30/3308
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/30 Circuit design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/33 Design verification, e.g. functional simulation or model checking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/3308 using simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/39 Circuit design at the physical level physical level design for reconfigurable circuits G06F30/347
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/443 Optimisation

Abstract

A method is provided of optimizing a software program for a target processor in order to meet specific performance objectives and yet maintain portability, where the software program is initially coded in a high-level language. The method includes a first step of optimizing the software program in the high-level language, using optimizations that are substantially independent of the target processor to host the application. Preferably, if the performance objectives are met after the completion of this step, then the process preferably successfully terminates. However, if the performance objectives are not met, then the method preferably proceeds to a second step. In the second step, the initially optimized form of the software program is again optimized in the high-level language, although target processor-dependent optimizations are used. If the performance objectives are met after completing this second step, then the process preferably terminates. If the performance objectives are not met, then the process proceeds to a third step. In the third step, the twice-optimized software program is optimized using a low-level language of the target processor on key portions of the code, such that although the software implementation becomes target-dependent, it remains relatively portable.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing a software program for a target processor to meet performance objectives, where the software program is coded in a high-level language, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) optimizing the software program such that a resulting first optimized form of the software program is substantially independent of the target processor and is substantially coded in the high-level language;

(b) optimizing the first optimized form of the software program such that a resulting second optimized form of the software program is substantially dependent on the target processor and is substantially coded in the high-level language; and

(c) optimizing the second optimized form of the software program such that a resulting third optimized form of the software program is substantially dependent on the target processor and is includes portions coded in a low-level language of the target processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of:

(a1) determining a first performance profile for the first optimized form of the software program, and comparing the first performance profile with the performance objectives; and

(b1) determining a second performance profile for the second optimized form of the software program, and comparing the second performance profile with the performance objectives.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein steps (b), (b1), and (c) are not performed if the performance objectives are met after completing step (a), and step (c) is not performed if the performance objectives are met after completing step (b).