10.3 Optimizing your code

Optimizing your software means to write, rewrite, or otherwise process your code so that it runs as efficiently as possible on your intended hardware.

Why did I say “as efficiently as possible” instead of “as fast as possible”? Optimization often involves trade-offs, such as running faster but using more memory or conserving memory while executing a little slower. This section primarily looks at methods to speed up your software.

Code optimization is an entire discipline within computer science and software engineering. The topics I cover here give you a jumping-off point to learn more. You’ll have a better idea of how to write good code and when to make it better. That said, bear in mind this quote from Donald Knuth: [CPA]

“The real problem is that programmers have spent far too much time worrying about efficiency in the wrong...