 |
"As our devices get smarter, they contain more semiconductors and draw more power. It’s also more difficult to write code that can optimize these multiple (and sometimes multicore) chips. A programmer can either customize the code running on this heterogeneous hardware, or use a compiler that translates the code into the zeros and ones that the specific type of chip can process. But developing custom code for each platform is expensive, time-consuming and limited to that one specific device, so most chipmakers or outside vendors develop compilers for each chip. While the process can take some 3-5 years, the compiler can then be used for the chip in a variety of devices." – Alan Cheslow |
