Using Profile Guided Optimization in the Microsoft Visual Studio* IDE

Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) improves application performance by reorganizing code layouts to reduce instruction-cache problems, shrinking code size, and reducing branch misprediction. Profile guided optimization provides information to the compiler about areas of an application that are most frequently executed. By knowing these areas, the compiler is able to be more selective and specific in optimizing the application.

To start profile guided optimization:

1. Choose Tools > Intel Composer XE 2013 > Profile Guided Optimization... to access the Profile Guided Optimization dialog box.
2. Specify settings for the various phases.
3. Click Run to start the profile guided optimization.

The Output windows will show the results of the optimization with a link to the composite log.