Itanium® Architecture for Programmers: Understanding 64-Bit Processors and EPIC Principles

7.4. Program Segmentation

Good modular programming practices promote the use of subroutines, procedures, and functions for several reasons:

• Ease of development: Large programming projects can be divided into sections more commensurate with the capabilities of individual programmers.

• Reusability: Well-documented and well-maintained routines can be reused for different environments and marketed over the course of many years.

• Reliability: Monolithic programs are difficult to test and debug, while individual routines can be empirically tested or proven to give correct results.

• Maintainability: Frequently repeated sequences of instructions are well-suited to compartmentalization. Revisions are made in one place, ensuring that the change occurs throughout ...