Remove `DELETE_DEREF` bytecode instruction

[markshannon]

Feature or enhancement

Proposal:

The DELETE_DEREF opcode can be removed and deletion implemented by the sequence:
LOAD_DEREF POP_TOP PUSH_NULL STORE_DEREF

This would free up an opcode, and, since deletion of non-locals variables is practically never used, there is no cost to doing this.

Has this already been discussed elsewhere?

This is a minor feature, which does not need previous discussion elsewhere

Linked PRs

• gh-145858: Remove DELETE_DEREF bytecode instruction #148185

[akanil18]

Hi I would like to work on this issue. I can implement the removal of the DELETE_DEREF opcode and replace the deletion logic with the LOAD_DEREF POP_TOP PUSH_NULL STORE_DEREF sequence as proposed.

Could you please assign this to me?

[sergey-miryanov]

I would suggest you wait answer from Mark before start doing this.

[akanil18]

Okay sure .