Memory pattern analysis tool for use in optimizing computer program code

Abstract

A method of facilitating optimization of computer program code. The code includes instructions for performing a plurality of loops, with each loop including at least one memory reference. The program code is instrumented to cause a memory reference trace to be generated when the program code is executed. The loops in the program code are identified from the trace. For each loop, a plurality of performance parameters relating to the memory references contained within the loop, including dynamic memory usage information and cache statistics, are computed based on the information in the trace. The performance parameters are then applied to a plurality of sets of conditions. Each set of conditions corresponds to one of a plurality of known optimization techniques to determine whether each set of conditions is satisfied for each loop. The optimization techniques include loop transformations and data restructuring techniques. For each set of conditions that is satisfied for a particular loop, an output is generated identifying the optimization technique which corresponds to that set of conditions as a suggested optimization for the loop.