r/cprogramming – Compiler optimization on Undefined Conduct

Hello all,

I’m making an attempt to grasp this article on undefined conduct however having a tough time greedy, how the compiler optimized the beneath perform;

int desk[4];
bool exists_in_table(int v)
{
    for (int i = 0; i <= 4; i++) 
    {
        if (desk[i] == v) return true;
    }
    return false;
}

to

bool exists_in_table(int v)
{
    return true;
}

Compiler Explorer, confirms the creator’s evaluation.

When i is 4, the code performs undefined conduct. Since undefined conduct lets me do something I need, I can completely ignore that case and proceed on the belief that i isn’t 4.

Okay, I get this half. Compiler assumes i == 4 code path won’t ever occur

Subsequently, all authorized code paths return true.

Undecided about this conclusion. Why did the compiler ignore the if-condtion in addition to assume <v> might be in <desk> ?

I hoped that it will likely be optimized to the beneath as a substitute;

bool exists_in_table(int v)
{
    return false; // Reasoning : for-block invokes undefined conduct, so let's ignore it. 
}

Thanks prematurely for the assistance.