Editing Program optimization (section)

===Build level===
Between the source and compile level, [[Directive (programming)|directives]] and [[Build automation|build flags]] can be used to tune performance options in the source code and compiler respectively, such as using [[preprocessor]] defines to disable unneeded software features, optimizing for specific processor models or hardware capabilities, or predicting [[branch (computer science)|branching]], for instance. Source-based software distribution systems such as [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]'s [[Ports collection|Ports]] and [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]]'s [[Portage (software)|Portage]] can take advantage of this form of optimization.