Compiler optimizations for the PA-8000

Compiler optimizations play a key role in unlocking the performance of the PA-8000 (L. Gwennap, 1994), an innovative dynamically scheduled machine which is the first implementation of the 64 bit PA 2.0 member of the HP PA-RISC architecture family. This wide superscalar, long out of order machine provides significant execution bandwidth and automatically hides latency at runtime; however despite its ample hardware resources, many of the optimizing transformations which proved effective for the PA-8000 served to augment its ability to exploit the available bandwidth and to hide latency. While legacy codes benefit from the PA-8000´s sophisticated hardware, recompilation of old binaries can be vital to realizing the full potential of the PA-8000, given the impact of new compilers in achieving peak performance for this machine.