The author describes using brute-force superoptimization to find an optimal formula for extracting the lowest set bit from a float, eliminating a costly branch for powers of two. Rather than relying on theorem provers, the approach iterates over candidate formulas validated against representative test cases, refining as counterexamples emerge.
Background
Superoptimization is a niche but long-standing area of compiler research that uses search to find optimally efficient instruction sequences. This post applies that concept practically to a common floating-point bit-manipulation problem.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Oct 19, 2026 at 07:51 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10