Search Results: CompilerOptimization

A benchmark reveals how Clang's jump table optimization for UTF-8 sequence length calculations caused a 4x performance drop compared to branch-based approaches. The surprising findings challenge assumptions about lookup tables and highlight the critical interplay between CPU branch prediction and memory access patterns in performance-critical code.

On September 20th, 1954, the first FORTRAN program executed, proving high-level languages could rival hand-crafted assembly. Exactly 29 years later, the RSA algorithm was patented, solving secure communication between strangers. These twin pillars of abstraction and security continue to underpin modern computing.