Linking code for an enhanced application binary interface (abi) with decode time instruction optimization

A method comprising:

• reading, by a computer, an object file comprising a plurality of code sequences;
• identifying a code sequence in the object file that specifies an offset from a base address, the offset from the base address corresponding to an offset location in a memory configured for storing one of an address of a variable and data, the identified code sequence comprising a plurality of instructions and configured to perform one of a memory reference function and a memory address computation function;
• determining that the offset location is within a specified distance of the base address;
• verifying that a replacement of the identified code sequence with a replacement code sequence will not alter program semantics;
• replacing the identified code sequence in the object file with the replacement code sequence, the replacement code sequence including a no-operation (NOP) instruction or having fewer instructions than the identified code sequence;
• generating linked executable code responsive to the object file;
• and
• emitting the linked executable code.