COMPILATION OF APPLICATION CODE IN A DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method for compiling application code. The data processing apparatus comprises a processor, and a compiler for compiling application code to generate instructions for execution by the processor. Furthermore, a non-invasive trace unit is coupled to the processor for generating, from input signals received from the processor, trace signals indicative of the instructions being executed by the processor. The compiler is then arranged to control the compilation of the application code dependent on the trace signals. The non-invasive nature of the trace unit enables it to generate trace signals that can be used to produce profiling information for use by the compiler without altering the behaviour of the code being executed by the processor, and accordingly provides a significantly improved technique for obtaining profiling information for use in feedback driven optimization compilation techniques.