News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Why Learn Compilers by WalterBright on Monday May 29, 2023 @08:44PM (#36119899)
The compiler is deterministic - for the same inputs, you'll get the same outputs. Unless you've got memory corruption in it.
Re:Why Learn Compilers by eru on Monday May 29, 2023 @09:08PM (#36120061)
Many optimizers (and other algorithms used in compilers) can benefit from some random bits.

Though, of course, in practice you can use pseudo-random bits and fix the seed.

Re:Why Learn Compilers by WalterBright on Monday May 29, 2023 @09:55PM (#36120348)
Having a compiler produce different code for the same source is a recipe for "I can't reproduce your bug and can't fix it".
Re:Why Learn Compilers by burjui on Thursday June 01, 2023 @03:37AM (#36148473)
Or unless you iterate over randomized hashtables to produce some output, e.g. function sections in an executable. Though that doesn't change the semantics and is basically rearranging coins in your pocket.