Re: compiler benchmark comparisons (was: naval systems)

["Pat Rogers" <progers@classwide.com>]

"Wes Groleau" <wesgroleau@despammed.com> wrote in message
news:3C7D37FD.F67F7067@despammed.com...
>
> It would not surprise me if the _average_ C compiler
> is faster than the _average_ Ada compiler.  The Ada
> compiler
>
>  - must generate machine code for constraint checks,
>    elaboration checks, and stack checks
>  - must check for initialization and finalization
>    and the need for exception handlers.
>  - will do a lot more type checking (if the program
>    was not poorly designed)
>  - may do a lot more optimization
>  - and (to exaggerate for effect) the Ada compiler
>    will pedantically examine your syntax and semantics
>    with the proverbial fine-toothed comb and harass
>    you unmercifully for the smallest pecadillo, while
>    the C compiler will happily generate code for almost
>    anything produce by leaning on the keyboard.

What I'm trying to get to is what the OP thought was inherent in the language,
such that compile-time (not total time to produce the executable) would always
be different, and by "different", I believe it is clear he meant "slower".
Meaningful comparison requires that we have comparable language semantics and
comparable compiler behavior (as determined by the switch settings).  That means
the list of differences you cite above -- good ones in general -- would not be
in play for the code in question.

I'm not arguing that Ada compilers are faster in the general case, I'm looking
for the OP's language-oriented reasons that would apply to any compiler.