[2608.09530] The Unseen Delta: Characterizing the Compiler Optimization Landscape via Top-Down Differential Analysis

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arXiv:2608.09530 (cs)

[Submitted on 10 Aug 2026]

Title:The Unseen Delta: Characterizing the Compiler Optimization Landscape via Top-Down Differential Analysis

Authors:Zhibo Liu, Huaijin Wang, Shuai Wang<br>View a PDF of the paper titled The Unseen Delta: Characterizing the Compiler Optimization Landscape via Top-Down Differential Analysis, by Zhibo Liu and 2 other authors

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Abstract:Compiler optimizations are essential for achieving high performance in modern software. However, recent studies highlight the persistence of performance bugs, i.e., subtle defects where the compiler generates functionally correct but computationally inefficient code, leading to significant performance degradation. Existing detection and testing methods typically employ a bottom-up approach, focusing on specific low-level code properties and remaining confined to known optimization rules. Consequently, they struggle to quantify the holistic impact of identified issues and often overlook critical microarchitectural inefficiencies.

We observe a key indicator of untapped potential: different compilers often produce binaries with significant performance differences for identical source code. However, the root causes of these discrepancies remain largely unexplored and difficult to pinpoint using current techniques. To bridge this gap, we introduce a top-down differential analysis methodology. This approach calibrates compiler optimization differences with fine-grained, hierarchical microarchitectural metrics, offering a comprehensive view of runtime behavior. Using a sampling-based approach, this method efficiently pinpoints the critical code snippets responsible for performance differences, enabling targeted root cause analysis.

Our empirical evaluation uncovers substantial and often surprising performance differences between binaries generated by GCC and Clang. A categorization of root causes reveals systemic challenges in compiler optimizations. To quantitatively validate our findings and demonstrate practical impact, we developed a binary patching framework that fixes identified performance issues by transplanting superior code sequences from competing compilers. This work provides a novel lens for understanding and analyzing optimization defects.

Comments:<br>To appear at ISSTA 2026

Subjects:

Software Engineering (cs.SE)

Cite as:<br>arXiv:2608.09530 [cs.SE]

(or<br>arXiv:2608.09530v1 [cs.SE] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.09530

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arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

Journal reference:<br>Proceedings of the ACM SIGSOFT International Symposium on Software Testing and Analysis (ISSTA '26), October 03--09, 2026, Oakland, California

Related DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1145/3832164

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DOI(s) linking to related resources

Submission history<br>From: Zhibo Liu [view email]<br>[v1]<br>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:32:19 UTC (2,779 KB)

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View a PDF of the paper titled The Unseen Delta: Characterizing the Compiler Optimization Landscape via Top-Down Differential Analysis, by Zhibo Liu and 2 other authors<br>View PDF<br>HTML (experimental)<br>TeX Source

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