Re: Everything You Know Is Wrong

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On 2015-12-29 12:42, G.B. wrote:

> The hardware people do a lot to reduce energy needs.  The software
> people could add to that.

I don't think so. Software is too costly and too volatile. Any potential 
win is negligible and will be overtaken by new hardware in just one year.

> For example, if two subprograms are independent
> and their execution can be postponed until a third one needs their
> results,

Firstly, you cannot know that. Secondly, this is a classic abstraction 
inversion example. Subprograms are result of software decomposition, 
which is driven by the problem. If the decomposition is driven by a 
constraint, and this happens sometimes, e.g. in real-time systems, you 
get handed huge design problem. We know how expensive real-time systems 
are. Now with the costs and risks of software development it simply does 
not make sense to do this. In one year there will be new hardware and, 
considering mobile platforms, the battery will degrade so much that you 
will notice no difference anyway.

>> In the real world we get better performance at lower energy, just per
>> laws of physics, as you pointed out.
>
> You would be in control of Watts for performance.

Yeah. Remember that "turbo" button on desktops in 90's?

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de