Compiler Optimizations for Reverse Engineers
RolfRolles <rolfrollesgmailcom> Monday, March 8 2010 15:45.22 CST


I've decided to release the part of my training material relating to compiler optimizations.  I created this back in January of 2007; for a while I was teaching classes very often, and so it made sense to keep it private.  Nowadays I only teach a few classes a year, and so this presentation is sort of languishing away on my hard drive, which is a shame since it's my favorite part.  I think people will enjoy reading it, so I have decided to make it public.

Since I made this in early 2007, it lacks some of GCC 4's optimizations, and from time to time I realize that I forgot an optimization or two.  But for the most part, it's fairly complete.  If you have any specific suggestions for optimizations that I missed, please either email me or respond via comment with a link to a binary exhibiting said optimization and the address at which I can find it.  Proper compiler-theoretic names for the optimizations, if applicable, are also appreciated.

Here it is.  Enjoy.

Comments
cliffwolf Posted: Monday, March 8 2010 21:18.51 CST
It's pretty useful for me! Thank you for your sharing!

bughoho Posted: Tuesday, March 9 2010 04:24.52 CST
thanks for share! :)

Orr Posted: Wednesday, March 10 2010 03:44.48 CST
Thanks Rolf, always a treat :)

wildinto Posted: Wednesday, March 10 2010 06:52.01 CST
thanks very much!

Boken Posted: Friday, March 12 2010 05:04.36 CST
Thanks you very much, it is a great job!!

I'm waiting the following post ;D

Regards!

RabidCicada Posted: Tuesday, March 23 2010 12:19.21 CDT
Rolf,
Thanks tremendously.  I really enjoyed reading through your slides and really appreciate the sharing of knowledge.  I just gave an RE primer to some co-workers and this is a great resource to talk about the challenges optimizations cause when REing.

huku Posted: Monday, March 29 2010 10:58.08 CDT
It was an excellent read with very nice examples, thanks for sharing. Btw, here's another pdf for those interested in compiler optimizations: http://www.linux-kongress.org/2009/slides/compiler_survey_felix_von_leitner.pdf