[LLVMdev] [RFC] Removing FCA constants from the IR

[Philip Reames]

On 2/3/14 1:24 AM, Chandler Carruth wrote:
> Currently, you're allowed to form a constant of aggregate type using 
> any number of other constants you like. This makes scanning the 
> instructions of the IR needlessly complex when looking for references 
> to constants.
>
> There is no need to support this degree of complexity in the IR. We 
> could require that for anything but 'zeroinitializer' you cannot write 
> a constant of aggregate (structure or array) type. You have to build 
> it using insertvalue.
>
> Thoughts? This would simplify several things I'm working on currently, 
> and it is a super easy auto-upgrade and verifier addition.
>
> -Chandler
What effect does this have on the readability of the IR?

Asking to make sure the point is considered, not because I neccessarily 
oppose your suggested change.  My main concern would have been for 
global variable initializers, but it sounds like you've revised your 
proposal to exclude those.

Philip