HotpathVM

2006/06/14 by Andreas Gal, Christian W. Probst, Michael Franz · 5 citations
Computer Science · #Logic, programming, and type systems #Parallel Computing and Optimization Techniques #Security and Verification in Computing

paper · doi:10.1145/1134760.1134780

openalex publication_date 2006/06/14 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

We present a just-in-time compiler for a Java VM that is small enough to fit on resource-constrained devices, yet is surprisingly effective. Our system dynamically identifies traces of frequently executed bytecode instructions (which may span several basic blocks across several methods) and compiles them via Static Single Assignment (SSA) construction. Our novel use of SSA form in this context allows to hoist instructions across trace side-exits without necessitating expensive compensation code in off-trace paths. The overall memory consumption (code and data) of our system is only 150 kBytes, yet benchmarks show a speedup that in some cases rivals heavy-weight just-in-time compilers.

Citations

• Efficiently computing static single assignment form and the control dependence graph

Cited by

• Adaptive Just-in-time Value Class Optimization for Lowering Memory Consumption and Improving Execution Time Performance
• Trace Register Allocation Policies
• Trace-based Register Allocation in a JIT Compiler
• A Lightweight Method for Generating Multi-Tier JIT Compilation Virtual Machine in a Meta-Tracing Compiler Framework
• Andreas Gal [wikipedia]