C optimizer

[Steve Summit]

In article <13134 at steinmetz.ge.com> davidsen at crdos1.UUCP (bill davidsen) writes:
>  I agree. One solution would be to provide a keyword, perhaps something
>like 'pure' or 'deterministic', which would indicate...

Just Say No to new keywords.  This sort of optimization is a fine
idea, and it does require a hint to the compiler, for the reasons
already discussed.  However, outside-the-language mucking around
is exactly what #pragmas are for:

	#pragma pure(sin)

(Someone, probably Karl Heuer, already made passing reference to
the use of #pragmas for this example.)  Extra keywords are messy,
even if they do follow the rules and use leading underscores.

                                            Steve Summit
                                            scs at adam.pika.mit.edu