Enhancing Performance in CLR: JIT Compiler

Quick Overview:
To enhance the dotnet application performance, you should also focus on optimizing the JIT present in the common language runtime. When the IL code compilation becomes faster, the overall speed gets a boost, which supports responsiveness. To help you enhance the JIT and CLR, we have provided the top approaches and techniques in this blog. From configuring AOT to using inlining methods, you’ll get to know about every potential aspect of performance optimization.

Performance in CLR with JIT Compilation

When it comes to enhancing the dotnet application performance, the main focus is on CLR optimization. However, in the CLR, you have to enhance the JIT to avail of the maximum potential in the extended run. If the conversion of intermediate language is faster during the runtime, a higher performance will be automatically achieved.

To help you with the JIT enhancement, we have listed all techniques in this blog. So, let’s have a look at them.

The CLR JIT Compiler Fundamentals

When the common language runtime gets used, the JIT plays an important role. It supports the CLR in converting the IL/MSIL code to the machine language. Without it, having the complete compiled code is not possible. In addition, it works on the runtime, meaning that when the application gets installed, the user runs the dotnet software.

Further, it also helps in improving the application performance by focusing on reducing startup time and executing methods in a faster manner. There are many tools and techniques available for enhancing CLR, but if you optimize JIT, the performance will be unmatchable.

How Different JIT Compilers Enhance Performance?

In a .NET environment, you can use all three types of CLR JIT compilers. Each compiler works differently, and using them per appropriate use case can help you improve performance.

1: Pre-JIT Compiler: This JIT gets normally utilized, as it’s configured by default in the common language runtime. It converts the complete codebase to native code when the application starts or during its installation. Due to this, it uses more resources and takes additional time as compared to other JIT types.

2: On-Demand JIT Compiler: When you use on-demand JIT, the code conversion starts when that specific code block is called by the end user. With the help of this JIT, you save resources and application startup time.

3: Econo-JIT Compiler: This JIT type is the combination of the other two, namely Pre and On-Demand JIT. It compiles frequently called methods and functions first and waits for the other to be called by the user. As a result, you see a higher performance and savings on resources.

Tips and Techniques to Optimize JIT Compilation

By using the following techniques, approaches, and tips, you can optimize the CLR JIT compiler to unleash a higher performance, accuracy, and potential.

1: Tiered Compilation Configuration

The JIT compilers offer you to leverage the tiered compilation, which helps in improving the application performance and reducing the startup time. It primarily works in two phases. The first phase deals with optimizing the code using a low-optimization tier. Following it, JIT starts discovering the hotspots, and once discovered, the high-level optimization tier gets used.

As a result, your dotnet application works efficiently and improves productivity.

2: Implement Code Hoisting

When you use code hoisting, the invariant code type is eliminated from the defined loops. Due to this, the workload of the JIT compiler gets reduced, and it easily converts the MSIL to native/machine code. In addition, it also reduces the application load, as redundant and additional computations are removed, helping you also save on resources.

3: Enhance Optimization and Deoptimization

When the JIT starts the compilation procedure, it considers some of the situations true by default. However, this can be alarming in some situations and can cause a lack of performance. So, you should violate these assumptions to lead the CLR JIT compiler to utilize a deoptimization mechanism. As a result, the code you receive will be more accurate and high-performing.

4: Leverage Parallel Compilation

To use this technique to improve JIT compiler performance, you need a multi-core processor. Otherwise, the system can crash, and your entire progress can be lost. When you use parallel compilation, the JIT distributes all tasks between the available CPU cores. Further, every core processes the defined task and contributes it to the final output.

With this technique, the compilation is completed within minimal time, and the application responsiveness is enhanced.

5: Utilize Profile-Guided Optimization                                             

When PGO works with JIT, the code compilation and enhancement becomes too much easy. You should ensure that profile-guided optimization gets used for your dotnet software solution. It helps you find the constantly executed functions, leading the JIT to inline and unroll them to improve the overall app speed, performance, and stability.

6: Integrate AOT Mechanism

Where JIT compiles on the spot, the AOT works much more than before. But, when you configure them together, you will be able to enjoy peak application performance. The AOT pre-compiles the important code sections, which helps minimize startup time. In addition to this, the JIT then compiles the rest of the code during runtime to ensure a performance surge.

7: Use Inlining Strategies

You can configure your CLR JIT compiler to use modern inline strategies, such as aggressive and partial inline mechanisms. Both can help you eliminate the code bloating and let JIT compile code more promptly. Additionally, the functions are directly utilized instead of their calls, which contributes to optimization.

Concluding Up

For a CLR offering maximum speed, you need a high-performing JIT compiler. There are many ways to optimize JIT, but firstly, you should choose the right JIT type according to your project. After this, you can integrate it with AOT and PGO and also implement inlining strategies. Moreover, parallel compilation, code hoisting, and deoptimization can also help you in this regard. By using all these techniques and approaches, the performance will be upgraded than ever before.