A Performance Analysis of a Trading System over Compilers

This talk examines how compiler versions, micro-optimizations, static branch prediction, and switch statements affect a C++ low-latency trading system. It also discusses operating-system effects and reported Spectre and Meltdown mitigation results.

Syllabus

Introduction
Background
Its not clever
Boost
Hardware
AMD bulldozer
Meltdown Spector
Example Code
GCC 447
GCC 863
ICC Intel
Log Scale
Static Branch Predictor
Misprediction Penalty
Builtin Expect
GCC
ICCClang
Expect
Performance
Switch Statements
GCC ICC
Ifelse statements
Break
ICC
Is it unstable
Does it matter