In message <9411120801.AA22990@alpha.bostic.com>, "Chris G. Demetriou" writes:
>> Figure this one out guys: 
>> 
>> ...blah...blah...
>> Microseconds for one run through Dhrystone:   113.6
>> Dhrystones per Second:                          8801.3
>> VAX MIPS rating =      5.009
>
>and why does this surprise you?
>
>if the binary is dynamically linked (i.e. -static is not specified),
>then the dynamic linking must take place!  it takes place when
>the program is stated, and it's quite likely that depending on how
>the program is timed, the dynamic link time is included in the program
>runtime.
>
>this is a classic space-time tradeoff, and i suggest that you
>statically link the binaries for which you care only about speed.
>(benchmarks are included in that class of binaries, unless you're
>specifically benchmarking the shared linker.  8-)
>

The problem is sparc is the only machine that has this problem. My
HP 345 does not display this behaivor.