improve handling of constant loops

Author: ckrause

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ To install or update LODA, please follow the [installation instructions](https:/
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Enhancements
+
+* Improve handling of loops with constant number of iterations
+
 # v22.6.19
 
 ### Features

src/finder.cpp

@@ -293,15 +293,10 @@ std::pair<std::string, steps_t> Finder::isOptimizedBetter(
   }
 
   // check if there are loops with contant number of iterations involved
-  const int64_t const_loops_existing =
-      ProgramUtil::hasLoopWithConstantNumIterations(existing);
-  const int64_t const_loops_optimized =
-      ProgramUtil::hasLoopWithConstantNumIterations(optimized);
-  if (const_loops_optimized < const_loops_existing) {
-    result.first = "Simpler";
+  if (ProgramUtil::hasLoopWithConstantNumIterations(optimized)) {
+    // independently of the existing program, we stop here because
+    // otherwise it yields fake optimization of constant loops
     return result;
-  } else if (const_loops_optimized > const_loops_existing) {
-    return result;  // worse
   }
 
   // get extended sequence