Re: GENERIC kernels (was: Re: disparities in hardware?)

[Jay Estabrook digital com]

>>> mlarocque@home.com said:
> 
> Jay, _just out of curiousity_, how does the GENERIC option affect the
> code optimization of the genererated kernel? I would assume that I'd
> get a better optimized kernel by choosing PC164 over GENERIC.

Performance is affected, as many "inline" routines for specific kernels are
forced to become subroutines for generic, and are accessed via a "machine
vector" of entry points setup during initial platform detection.

How much performance is lost? I haven't bothered to see, as I'm typically
much more interested in the utility (one kernel for all boxes! :-) than in
the speed. Those with other needs may choose differently.

--Jay++

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Jay A Estabrook                            Alpha Motherboards - LINUX Project
Compaq Computer Corp.                      (508) 841-3241 or (DTN) 237-3241
334 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545     Jay.Estabrook@digital.com
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