VECTORIZATION IN AN OPTIMIZING COMPILER

An optimizing compiler includes a vectorization mechanism that optimizes a computer program by substituting code that includes one or more vector instructions (vectorized code) for one or more scalar instructions. The cost of the vectorized code is compared to the cost of the code with only scalar instructions. When the cost of the vectorized code is less than the cost of the code with only scalar instructions, the vectorization mechanism determines whether the vectorized code will likely result in processor stalls. If not, the vectorization mechanism substitutes the vectorized code for the code with only scalar instructions. When the vectorized code will likely result in processor stalls, the vectorization mechanism does not substitute the vectorized code, and the code with only scalar instructions remains in the computer program.