Undefined Behavior In C/C++: Balancing Performance And Safety
Compilers like GCC & Clang exploit undefined behavior in C/C++ to optimize performance, but this comes with risks of portability issues, maintenance challenges & security vulnerabilities.
Introduction Undefined behavior (UB) in C and C++ has long been a double-edged sword in software development. On one side, it can lead to erratic program behavior, security vulnerabilities, and hard-to-trace bugs. On the other side, modern compilers have cleverly exploited this ambiguous territory to optimize performance, leading to faster, more efficient code. In this article, we will delve into the intricate relationship between undefined behavior and performance optimizations in contemporary compilers. We will explore how compiler developers use UB to their advantage, examine case studies,...