Integrating loop unrolling and loop splitting to reduce control overheads

Abstract

Described are techniques for reducing overhead controls. A loop tree is constructed from a program, such as a structured control flow program. Structured control flow refers to a programming concept where the flow of control to a block or region is based on single entry and single-exist methodology (SESE). A loop tree refers to a tree-like data structure that graphically represents loop(s) and/or an if-condition(s) in a program, such as a structured control flow program. A loop splitting operation or a loop unrolling operation may then be performed in connection with the node of the loop tree that is identified as having the highest benefit (ratio of execution cycles gained to the increase in code size) representing an if-condition or a loop, respectively, provided that the resultant code fits in the instruction buffer.