As I mentioned earlier, unless specifically guaranteed (as for _nop_), you cannot rely upon a 'C' compiler to generate any specific set of machine instructions from any given line of source text

The real problem here is (and I have seeen it) that a timed loop in "C" may change when a newer version of the compiler is used. Any compiler manufacturer wort his salt will try to make the compiler more efficient.

Timed loops in C = lost maintainability

Erik