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docs: Add optimizer documentation (#1481)
* docs: Add optimizer documentation Document the bytecode optimization strategies including: - Peephole optimization - Jump compression - Reachability analysis - Miscellaneous optimizations Also includes architecture overview and usage instructions. * docs: add OptimizationType enum options to optimizer documentation
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# Neo Smart Contract Optimizer
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The Neo Compiler includes a powerful bytecode optimizer that reduces contract size and gas consumption. This document describes the available optimization strategies.
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## Overview
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The optimizer runs after initial compilation and applies various strategies to improve the generated NeoVM bytecode. Each strategy can be enabled/disabled independently.
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## Optimization Types
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The compiler supports different optimization levels through the `OptimizationType` enum:
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```csharp
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[Flags]
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public enum OptimizationType : byte
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{
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None = 0,
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Basic = 1,
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Experimental = 2,
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All = Basic | Experimental
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}
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```
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### Available Options
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| Option | Value | Description |
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|--------|-------|-------------|
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| `None` | 0 | No optimization. Outputs raw compiled bytecode without any optimization passes. |
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| `Basic` | 1 | Safe, well-tested optimizations. Recommended for production use. Includes peephole optimization, jump compression, and dead code elimination. |
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| `Experimental` | 2 | Advanced optimizations that may be more aggressive. Use with caution and thorough testing. |
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| `All` | 3 | Enables all available optimizations (Basic + Experimental). Maximum optimization level. |
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### Usage Examples
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```csharp
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// Programmatic usage
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var options = new CompilationOptions
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{
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Optimize = OptimizationType.Basic // Safe optimizations only
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};
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var options = new CompilationOptions
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{
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Optimize = OptimizationType.All // Maximum optimization
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};
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var options = new CompilationOptions
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{
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Optimize = OptimizationType.None // No optimization
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};
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```
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```bash
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# Command line usage
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nccs MyContract.csproj --optimize none # No optimization
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nccs MyContract.csproj --optimize basic # Basic optimizations (default)
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nccs MyContract.csproj --optimize experimental # Experimental only
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nccs MyContract.csproj --optimize all # All optimizations
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```
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## Optimization Strategies
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### 1. Peephole Optimization (`Peephole.cs`)
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**Purpose**: Pattern-based local optimizations that replace inefficient instruction sequences with more efficient equivalents.
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**Key Optimizations**:
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- **Dead code elimination**: Removes unreachable instructions
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- **Redundant operation removal**: Eliminates unnecessary DUP/DROP pairs
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- **Constant folding**: Pre-computes constant expressions at compile time
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- **Instruction simplification**: Replaces complex sequences with simpler equivalents
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**Example**:
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```
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Before: PUSH1 PUSH2 ADD
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After: PUSH3
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```
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### 2. Jump Compression (`JumpCompresser.cs`)
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**Purpose**: Optimizes jump instructions by using shorter jump variants when possible.
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**Key Optimizations**:
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- Converts `JMP_L` (5 bytes) to `JMP` (2 bytes) when target is within range
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- Removes redundant jumps (jump to next instruction)
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- Chains consecutive jumps
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**Benefits**: Significant size reduction in contracts with many branches.
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### 3. Reachability Analysis (`Reachability.cs`)
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**Purpose**: Identifies and removes unreachable code paths.
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**Key Optimizations**:
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- Detects dead code after unconditional jumps/returns
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- Removes unused exception handlers
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- Eliminates unreachable branches
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### 4. Miscellaneous Optimizations (`Miscellaneous.cs`)
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**Purpose**: Various small optimizations that don't fit other categories.
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**Key Optimizations**:
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- NOP removal
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- Redundant type conversion elimination
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- Stack operation simplification
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## Usage
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Optimization is enabled by default. Control it via compiler options:
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```bash
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# Full optimization (default)
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nccs MyContract.csproj
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# Disable optimization
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nccs MyContract.csproj --no-optimize
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# Specific optimization level
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nccs MyContract.csproj --optimize basic
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```
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## Architecture
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```
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Optimizer/
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├── Analysers/ # Code analysis utilities
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│ ├── InstructionCoverage.cs
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│ └── TryCatchFinallyCoverage.cs
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├── AssetBuilder/ # Output generation
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│ ├── DebugInfoBuilder.cs
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│ └── OptimizedScriptBuilder.cs
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├── Strategies/ # Optimization strategies
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│ ├── Peephole.cs
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│ ├── JumpCompresser.cs
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│ ├── Reachability.cs
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│ └── Miscellaneous.cs
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├── BasicOptimizer.cs # Main optimizer entry point
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└── DumpNef.cs # NEF file utilities
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```
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## Adding New Strategies
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1. Create a new class in `Strategies/`
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2. Implement the optimization logic
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3. Add the `[Strategy]` attribute
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4. Register in `BasicOptimizer.cs`
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## Performance Impact
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Typical optimization results:
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- **Size reduction**: 10-30% smaller bytecode
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- **Gas savings**: 5-20% lower execution cost
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- **Compilation time**: Minimal overhead (~100ms)
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## See Also
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- [Neo Compiler Documentation](../../docs/)
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- [NeoVM Instruction Reference](https://docs.neo.org/docs/n3/reference/neo_vm)

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