Compiler Optimization for N-Dimensional Variable Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compilers generating object code from source code with instructions for accessing data in multidimensional variable-length arrays often result in cache misses, leading to inefficient execution due to non-contiguous memory access, which decreases the cache hit rate and degrades CPU performance.
Innovation Solution
The compiler converts instructions for storing and accessing data in N-dimensional variable-length arrays into instructions for storing data in N-dimensional fixed-length arrays and subsequently converting these to contiguous one-dimensional fixed-length arrays, optimizing memory access and improving cache hit rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is stored in N-dimensional variable-length arrays, then memory flexibility and adaptability are improved, but memory access becomes non-contiguous causing cache misses and degrading CPU performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the N-dimensional variable-length array into multiple one-dimensional fixed-length arrays, where each dimension becomes a separate array. This segmentation allows each dimension to be accessed contiguously in memory while preserving the flexibility of variable-length arrays, thereby resolving the contradiction between memory flexibility and CPU execution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the N-dimensional array structure into multiple one-dimensional arrays by adding a new dimension for storing array metadata (bounds, offsets). This dimensional transformation enables contiguous memory access patterns while maintaining the variable-length characteristics of the original N-dimensional array, thus improving both cache hit rate and execution efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is stored in N-dimensional variable-length arrays, then adaptability is improved, but cache hit rate decreases due to non-contiguous access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-dimensional array into multiple one-dimensional arrays, ensuring that data within each dimension is stored contiguously in memory. This segmentation strategy maintains the adaptability of variable-length arrays while improving cache hit rates by eliminating non-contiguous access patterns that cause cache misses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata structures (storing bounds, offsets, and dimensions) as intermediaries between the variable-length array requirements and the fixed-length array storage. These intermediaries enable the system to maintain array flexibility while using contiguous fixed-length arrays for actual data storage, thereby improving cache performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compilers generate object code for N-dimensional variable-length arrays, then programming versatility is maintained, but execution efficiency degrades due to non-contiguous memory access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the N-dimensional array into multiple one-dimensional fixed-length arrays during compilation, allowing the compiler to generate optimized object code that accesses data contiguously. This segmentation enables the program to maintain variable-length array versatility while executing with improved time efficiency due to better cache utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary transformation of the N-dimensional variable-length array into multiple one-dimensional fixed-length arrays during the compilation phase. This preliminary action allows the compiler to optimize memory access patterns before execution, reducing execution time while preserving the original program's versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and the processor configured to when source code includes an instruction for storing units of data in an area of an N-dimensional variable-length array (N being an integer and a value of N being equal to or greater than 2), generate object code in the memory to cause the units of data to be stored in an area of an N-dimensional fixed-length array instead of the area of the N-dimensional variable-length array, and when the source code includes an instruction for successively accessing the unit of data stored in the area of the N-dimensional variable-length array, generate the object code in the memory to cause the units of data stored in the area of the N-dimensional fixed-length array to be stored contiguously in an area of a one-dimensional fixed-length array.