This makes 27_io/basic_istream/extractors_character/char/9826.cc fail (see e.g. http://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc-testresults/2005-01/msg01098.html). I'll attach a semi-reduced test case. Doesn't seem to happen on other platforms.
Profiling shows prominently "alpha_sa_mask" and "reload". Adding -da makes the problem go away... -- Summary: Infinite memory usage on Alpha Product: gcc Version: 4.0.0 Status: UNCONFIRMED Keywords: memory-hog Severity: normal Priority: P2 Component: c++ AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: falk at debian dot org CC: gcc-bugs at gcc dot gnu dot org GCC build triplet: alphaev68-unknown-linux-gnu GCC host triplet: alphaev68-unknown-linux-gnu GCC target triplet: alphaev68-unknown-linux-gnu http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=19634