Register-Based and Stack-Based Virtual Machines: Which Perform Better in JIT Compilation Scenarios?

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F49777513%3A23520%2F25%3A43976326" target="_blank" >RIV/49777513:23520/25:43976326 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/spe.70014" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1002/spe.70014</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/spe.70014" target="_blank" >10.1002/spe.70014</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Register-Based and Stack-Based Virtual Machines: Which Perform Better in JIT Compilation Scenarios?

Original language description

Background: Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation plays a critical role in optimizing the performance of modern virtual machines (VMs). While the architecture of VMs – register-based or stack-based – has long been a subject of debate, empirical analysis focusing on JIT compilation performance is relatively sparse. Objective: In this study, we aim to answer the question: “Register-based and stack-based virtual machines: which perform better in JIT compilation scenarios?”. Methods: We explore this through a comprehensive set of benchmarks measuring execution speed. To achieve this, we developed identical test cases in languages that support both types of VM architectures and ran these tests under controlled conditions. The performance metrics were captured and analyzed for JIT compilation, including initial interpretation, bytecode translation, and optimized code execution. Results: Our findings suggest that register-based VMs generally outperform stack-based VMs in terms of execution speed. Moreover, the performance gap between the two architectures in mixed execution mode, which essentially copies characteristics of the underlying virtual machine, suggests that making the right choice of VM architecture is still important. Conclusion: This study provides developers, researchers, and system architects with actionable insights into the performance trade-offs associated with each VM architecture in JIT-compiled environments. The findings can guide the design decisions in the development of new virtual machines and JIT compilation strategies.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10201 - Computer sciences, information science, bioinformathics (hardware development to be 2.2, social aspect to be 5.8)

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Software Practice and Experience

ISSN

0038-0644

e-ISSN

1097-024X

Volume of the periodical

55

Issue of the periodical within the volume

11

Country of publishing house

US - UNITED STATES

Number of pages

15

Pages from-to

1896-1910

UT code for WoS article

001556217600001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105014085865