It is a hint to the optimizer that the code, where this builtin is called, is on the fast path.
Specifically, the inliner takes it into account and increases the assumed benefit for code where the builtin is located.
Compared to the fastPath/slowPath builtins, this builtin can be placed into plain linear code and doesn't need to be used in conditions.
Compared to the @inline(__always) attribute, this builtin has also an effect on the caller function. Let's assume
foo() calls bar() contains onFastPath
and both foo and bar are small functions. Then if bar gets inlined into foo, the builtin also increases the chances that foo gets inlined.
This would not be the case if @inline(__always) is used just for bar.
As there are no instructions left which produce multiple result values, this is a NFC regarding the generated SIL and generated code.
Although this commit is large, most changes are straightforward adoptions to the changes in the ValueBase and SILValue classes.
In all of the cases where this is being used, we already immediately perform an
unreachable if we find a TermKind::Invalid. So simplify the code and move it
into the conversion switch itself.
This exposed the first interesting bug found by using TermKind, in DCE we were
not properly handling switch_enum_addr and checked_cast_addr_br.
SR-335
rdar://23980060
(libraries now)
It has been generally agreed that we need to do this reorg, and now
seems like the perfect time. Some major pass reorganization is in the
works.
This does not have to be the final word on the matter. The consensus
among those working on the code is that it's much better than what we
had and a better starting point for future bike shedding.
Note that the previous organization was designed to allow separate
analysis and optimization libraries. It turns out this is an
artificial distinction and not an important goal.