Re: Suggested method for returning a string from a C program?

On 26/03/2025 09:20, Muttley@DastardlyHQ.org wrote:

On Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:40:38 +0000
bart <bc@freeuk.com> wibbled:

On 25/03/2025 15:09, Muttley@DastardlyHQ.org wrote:
>

You're the one extolling the virtues of a single source file, not me.
>
Here's an idea - instead of outputting C why don't you make it output
machine code instead. Might be more useful.

>
>
What makes you think I don't? The C code is mainly for people who can't
or won't run Windows binaries. It also makes it incredibly easy to build
from source (gcc prog.c).
>
In my case I want to apply gcc-level optimisations that my compiler
doesn't do. So it has to be C code if I want that final 25% extra speed.

 Whats this? You mean your amazing zippy fast compiler can't optimise for shit?

Well, it is compiled with itself and it manages that in 70ms despite lacking the optimiser. Otherwise it might do it it 60ms. It is amazingly fast either way.

Maybe gcc isn't so bad after all eh?

I'm not complaining about the quality of its code.
However, it is 200 times bigger than my product, and can take 100 times longer to compile code, which in the current project might yield 10-25% extra speed.
That is only needed here because I'm compiling benchmark results to compare with other products that will also be using the best possible optimisation.
For everyday use however, that small boost is not relevant, and not worth the extra hassle.