IBM Patents Optimization

jamie(really) writes: IBM appears to want to patent optimizing programs by trial and error, which in the history of programming has, of course, never been done. Certainly, all my optimizations have been the result of good planning. Well done IBM for coming up with this clever idea. What is claimed is:

• A method for developing a computer program product, the method comprising:
• 1. evaluating one or more refactoring actions to determine a performance attribute;
  2. associating the performance attribute with a refactoring action used in computer code; and
  3. undoing the refactoring action of the computer code based on the performance attribute.
• The method of claim 1 wherein the undoing refactoring is performed when the performance attribute indicates a negative performance effect of the computer code.

Nice one IBM!