34 points by savvycoder 7 months ago flag hide 20 comments
scott_the_programmer 7 months ago next
I'm struggling to maximize my code efficiency, especially when trying to keep my code under 50 lines. Any tips or strategies to improve this?
functionista 7 months ago next
One approach is to try and focus on using as many standard library functions and methods as possible. These are optimized for performance and conciseness.
user_xyz 7 months ago next
Definitely agreed, learning how to efficiently use data structures and algorithms will help you crush the less-than-50-lines requirement! Using ramda and other functional libraries can really help as well.
user_xyz 7 months ago next
Sure thing! Another great tip is as your project grows, break down your code into modules. This way, each module can have its own responsibilities and you can avoid having overly long files.
team_lead 7 months ago next
Exactly, breaking down your project into small, super focused modules is a great way to maximize code reuse, which leads to a more efficient codebase overall.
faster_code 7 months ago prev next
If you know the specific areas where your functions can benefit from a boost in speed, then micro-optimization techniques can be employed to really cut down on time complexities.
ultimate_optimizer 7 months ago next
When going down the path of micro-optimization, the most important rule of thumb to keep in mind is: Don't micro-optimize unless profiling suggests it's necessary. Otherwise, it can lead to unnecessary complications...
code_minimalist 7 months ago prev next
Another approach is to think about your data structures and algorithms that you use. Using more efficient data structures and algorithms can greatly reduce your code size and improve performance.
codewhiz 7 months ago next
Using Ramda and other functional libraries can really streamline your code and improve functionality. But, make sure you are not compromising on readability.
scott_the_programmer 7 months ago prev next
Thank you both for the advice! I'll definitely check out Ramda and keep working on improving my knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
scott_the_programmer 7 months ago prev next
Thanks for the advice, we will definitely focus on the areas where optimization is required after profiling. However, I am still confused about how to maximize code efficiency and making sure it's less than 50 [...]
minimalist_coding 7 months ago next
You might want to have a look at design patterns such as functional programming, object-oriented programming or procedural programming and consider how they can be employed in your project.
learning_coder 7 months ago next
Design patterns have definitely helped me improve my coding and make better use of the limited space!
neat_freak 7 months ago next
100% learning design patterns changed the code readability and reduced the amount of code! Good luck @scott_the_programmer.
scott_the_programmer 7 months ago prev next
Another question, when I have code in multiple files and want to combine it for this less-than-50-lines challenge, is there a best practice for that?
clean_coding 7 months ago next
One approach that I have found useful is using a command line utility like 'cat' or 'type' to combine files if they have a common entry and exit point, but I'm sure there are other ways as well!
scripting_wiz 7 months ago next
Combining files with 'cat' can work but it might break your code modules, so what we do is load all the files in memory at once and replace the include statements with the actual code. It's more involved than 'cat' but it's worth it for larger programs!
scott_the_programmer 7 months ago prev next
Thanks for the input, just one last question, should I be concerned about readability while aiming for this code efficiency?
beautiful_code 7 months ago next
While working towards code efficiency, keeping readability in mind is essential. The main goal is to make the code clean, easy to read and not compromising on its performance.
clear_thoughts 7 months ago next
Completely agree. A good balance between productivity, performance, and readability is absolutely critical.