[Python-Dev] Re: [Python-checkins] CVS: python/dist/src/Modules _sre.c,2.63,2.64

[Tim Peters]

>> _sre.c
>> Log Message:
>> Removed unreachable return to silence SGI compiler.
>>
>> !     /* shouldn't end up here */
>> !     return SRE_ERROR_ILLEGAL;
>>   }
>>
>> --- 1141,1145 ----
>>       }
>>
>> !     /* can't end up here */
>>   }

[Fredrik Lundh]
> I hate stuff like this: that line was there to make sure *I* don't
> mess up when developing SRE, not to deal with potentially broken
> compilers or misfired electrons.
>
> isn't there any way to tell the SGI compiler to stop whining about
> this?

I've had better luck x-platform with, e.g.,

    assert(!"can't get here"); /* !string is always false */

In non-debug builds, it vanishes so there's nothing for the compiler to
gripe about; while in debug builds most compilers don't do enough flow
analysis to realize there *is* something to gripe about.

Overall, it would be more useful if SGI compilers in particular produced:

    C00666: Warning: -O may produce buggy code.

after every executable line <wink>.