Optimized division of work among processors in a heterogeneous processing system

A compiler implemented by a computer performs optimized division of work across heterogeneous processors. The compiler divides source code into code sections and characterizes each of the code sections based on pre-defined criteria. Each of the code sections is characterized as at least one of: allocate to a main processor, allocate to a processing element, allocate to one of a parameterized main processor and a parameterized processing element, and indeterminate. The compiler analyzes side-effects and costs of executing the code sections on allocated processors, and transforms the code sections based on results of the analyzing. The transforming includes re-characterizing the code sections for alternate execution in a runtime environment.