Mike Gunter
Why is executable size a barrier? 1.64 megabytes (that's the size of the executable I built with GHC most recently) of disk space costs less than half a cent.
I don't like this argument. Can I go to a computer store, pay a cent, and get a hard disk with space 1.64 megabytes or more? Until then, I can't believe that 1.64 megabytes of disk space costs less than half a cent. When a compiler does not perform as good as other compilers (e.g., in terms of generated code size), it is important to ask: Why does it happen? Is there anything we can do to improve it? Being critical is the first step towards progress. (Of course these questions should be asked in a constructive rather than whining way.) Why would anyone optimize code for time --- a second of electricity and labour cost less than a cent...