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hakmem/docs/analysis
Moe Charm (CI) 10fb0497e2 Phase 62A: C7 ULTRA Alloc Dependency Chain Trim - NEUTRAL (-0.71%)
Implemented C7 ULTRA allocation hotpath optimization attempt as per Phase 62A instructions.

Objective: Reduce dependency chain in tiny_c7_ultra_alloc() by:
1. Eliminating per-call tiny_front_v3_c7_ultra_header_light_enabled() checks
2. Using TLS headers_initialized flag set during refill
3. Reducing branch count and register pressure

Implementation:
- New ENV box: core/box/c7_ultra_alloc_depchain_opt_box.h
- HAKMEM_C7_ULTRA_ALLOC_DEPCHAIN_OPT=0/1 gate (default OFF)
- Modified tiny_c7_ultra_alloc() with optimized path
- Preserved original path for compatibility

Results (Mixed benchmark, 10-run):
- Baseline (OPT=0): 59.300 M ops/s (CV 1.98%)
- Treatment (OPT=1): 58.879 M ops/s (CV 1.83%)
- Delta: -0.71% (NEUTRAL, within ±1.0% threshold but negative)
- Status: NEUTRAL → Research box (default OFF)

Root Cause Analysis:
1. LTO optimization already inlines header_light function (call cost = 0)
2. TLS access (memory load + offset) not cheaper than function call
3. Layout tax from code addition (I-cache disruption pattern from Phases 43/46A/47)
4. 5.18% stack % is not optimizable hotspot (already well-optimized)

Key Lessons:
- LTO-optimized function calls can be cheaper than TLS field access
- Micro-optimizations on already-optimized paths show diminishing/negative returns
- 48.34% gap to mimalloc is likely algorithmic, not micro-architectural
- Layout tax remains consistent pattern across attempted micro-optimizations

Decision:
- NEUTRAL verdict → kept as research box with ENV gate (default OFF)
- Not adopted as production default
- Next phases: Option B (production readiness pivot) likely higher ROI than further micro-opts

Box Theory Compliance:  Compliant (single point, reversible, clear boundary)
Performance Compliance:  No (-0.71% regression)

Documentation:
- PHASE62A_C7_ULTRA_DEPCHAIN_OPT_RESULTS.md: Full A/B test analysis
- CURRENT_TASK.md: Updated with results and next phase options

🤖 Generated with Claude Code

Co-Authored-By: Claude Haiku 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2025-12-17 16:34:03 +09:00
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