RCAT: a performance analysis tool

The existing software performance tools concentrate on identification of program bottlenecks. Although such identification is important, it may not necessarily be the only source of performance deficiency. This work presents a performance tool called RCAT that detects a new type of performance deficiency referred to as redundant computation. Redundant computation is the execution of a statement(s) that does not influence the program output. Our experience showed that significant performance improvements might be achieved as a result of elimination or reduction of redundant computations. RCAT helps the programmers to improve their C programs by localizing the potential performance deficiencies.