How does constant propagation differ from other optimizations?

What is constant propagation in compiler optimization?

Constant propagation is an optimization technique where the compiler replaces variables that have constant values with those values, reducing the number of computations.

How does it differ from other optimization techniques?

Unlike other optimizations that may focus on loop unrolling or inlining, constant propagation specifically targets constant values to simplify expressions.

Can you give an example of constant propagation?

Sure! If you have a variable x assigned a constant value of 5, and later you use x + 2, the compiler can replace it with 5 + 2 directly.

What are the benefits of using constant propagation?

The main benefits include reduced runtime, improved performance, and decreased memory usage by eliminating unnecessary variable storage.