source: branches/samhain_3_1/docs/README.gcc_bug

GCC Compiler Bug
----------------

Reference: http://boudicca.tux.org/hypermail/linux-kernel/2000week05/0983.html

From: Johan Kullstam (kullstam@ne.mediaone.net)
Date: Thu Jan 27 2000 - 18:00:28 EST 

Horst von Brand <vonbrand@sleipnir.valparaiso.cl> writes: 

> My question in this vein would be the -fno-strength-reduce. The gcc bug 
> that placed this in the kernel was in gcc-2.7.2, and was worked around in 
> 2.7.2.3 by just making this option unconditional. Both 2.2.15pre4 and 
> 2.3.41pre2 at least demand gcc-2.7.2.3 as minimal version. 

just when you thought it was safe to go into the water... 

strength-reduction is broken again in gcc-2.95.2 (aka the current 
release). i'm not sure about what versions actually do work. 

for fun, try this one out. cut and paste the program bug.c. 

$ gcc -O2 bug.c -o b0 
$ gcc -O2 -fno-strength-reduce bug.c -o b1 

run b1. notice it finish immediately. 
now run b0. notice how b0 never terminates (until you ^C it). 


-- bug.c ----------------------------------------- 
static void bug(int size, int tries) 
{ 
  int i; 
  int num = 0; 

  while (num < size) 
  { 
    for (i = 1; i < tries; i++) num++; 
  } 
} 

int main() 
{ 
  bug(5, 10); 
  return 0; 
} 
-- bug.c -----------------------------------------