📝Compiler optimization are still worth to pursue
Proebsting’s law states that trying to make a compiler generate faster code is a grim task (and the reality is even grimmer), so we might as well stop trying.
Yet, compiler optimization are still worth to pursue. Computer are consuming a ton of electricity, so improving the performance might reduce electricity consumption.
A one percent compiler performance improvement in energy-proportional computing (an IT industry goal) means saving 25 terawatt-hours (TWh) out of the 25,000 TWh annual world electricity production. Twenty-five terawatt-hours is equal to the average annual electricity production of six Hoover dams. —MIR: A lightweight JIT compiler project | Red Hat Developer
Counterargument
Are compilers the best way to minimize electricity consumption? Designing CPUs with better output/power consumption might be a better way to address the issue.