This is a question regarding the compiler in general, and I sense there is no single correct answer.
As you may already know, FPC compiles source code into intermediate nodes. Most of these are quite straightforward, like addition and a procedure call, but then you get quite a few that map onto internal functions and intrinsics like "abs" and are otherwise handled directly by the compiler rather than calling a function in the System unit, say. In your experience, and through theory, where should the line be drawn with internal routines and explicitly writing a function? I can see advantages in both approaches, like it's easier to assemble a node into a specific instruction set, but it can cause a lot of bloat in the compiler, while having an explicit function reduces this compiler complexity and allows for internal code improvements and better acceptance of features like pure functions, but may increase compilation time and make optimisation more difficult, depending on how it is implemented. Just looking for discussion. Gareth aka. Kit _______________________________________________ fpc-devel maillist - fpc-devel@lists.freepascal.org http://lists.freepascal.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fpc-devel
