Collecting Benchmark Results for Informed Optimization Efforts

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 126 views

Collecting Benchmark Results for Informed Optimization Efforts

As developers, we often find ourselves in a situation where we need to optimize our code for better performance. However, without a clear understanding of the bottlenecks, it can be challenging to identify the areas that require optimization. In this article, we will explore the results of a benchmarking exercise that compares the performance of NamedTuple, Tuple, and Dict on the ESP32 platform.

Benchmarking `NamedTuple`, `Tuple`, and `Dict` on ESP32

To conduct this benchmarking exercise, we used a simple Python script that creates lists of NamedTuple, Tuple, and Dict objects, as well as a baseline list of None values. We then measured the time and memory usage of each list creation operation.

Benchmark Results

The following table summarizes the benchmark results:

Type	Count	Time	Memory
NamedTuple	1,000	1.335132	31,872
Tuple	1,000	1.152142	36,000
Dict	1,000	0.171737	52,000
None	1,000	0.003445	4,000
NamedTuple	10,000	23.96622	319,856
Tuple	10,000	6.278696	385,424
Dict	10,000	1.764763	545,408
None	10,000	0.028616	65,440

As we can see from the results, the Dict type performs the best in terms of time and memory usage, followed closely by the Tuple type. The NamedTuple type, on the other hand, performs the worst in both time and memory usage.

Benchmark Code

The following code snippet shows the benchmarking code used to collect the results:

def benchmark(func, args):
    """Measure the time taken by a function to execute."""
    start = time.time_ns()
    func(*args)
    end = time.time_ns()
    return (end - start) / 1_000_000_000

def memtest(func, args):
    """Measure the memory usage of a function to execute."""
    gc.collect()
    start = gc.mem_alloc()
    func(*args)
    end = gc.mem_alloc()

point = namedtuple('point', 'x y z')

def test_nt(n):
    """Create a list of NamedTuple objects."""
    l = [point(i, i+1, i+2) for i in range(n)]

def test_t(n):
    """Create a list of Tuple objects."""
    l = [(i, i+1,i+2) for i in range(n)]

def test_d(n):
    """Create a list of Dict objects."""
    l = [{x': i, 'y': i+1, 'z': i+2} for i in range(n)]

def test_N(n):
    """Create a list of None values."""
    l = [None for _ in range(n)]

benchmark(test_nt, (1_000,))
memtest(test_nt, (1_000,))
benchmark(test_t, (1_000,))
memtest(test_t, (1_000,))
benchmark(test_d, (1_000,))
memtest(test_d, (1_000,))
benchmark(test_N, (1_000,))
memtest(test_N, (1_000,))

benchmark(test_nt, (10_000,))
memtest(test_nt, (10_000,))
benchmark(test_t, (10_000,))
memtest(test_t, (10_000,))
benchmark(test_d, (10_000,))
memtest(test_d, (10_000,))
benchmark(test_N, (10_000,))
memtest(test_N, (10_000,))

Conclusion

In conclusion, the benchmarking exercise revealed that the Dict type performs the best in terms of time and memory usage, followed closely by the Tuple type. The NamedTuple type, on the other hand, performs the worst in both time and memory usage. These results can inform optimization efforts and help developers make informed decisions when choosing data structures for their applications.

Future Work

Future work could involve exploring other data structures and their performance characteristics on the ESP32 platform. Additionally, the benchmarking exercise could be extended to include other metrics, such as memory allocation and deallocation times.

References

[1] Python documentation: namedtuple function
[2] Python documentation: tuple type
[3] Python documentation: dict type
[4] ESP32 documentation: Memory management
[5] ESP32 documentation: Time management
Optimization Notes =====================

Q&A: Optimizing Code for Better Performance

In our previous article, we explored the results of a benchmarking exercise that compared the performance of NamedTuple, Tuple, and Dict on the ESP32 platform. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to optimizing code for better performance.

Q: What is optimization, and why is it important?

A: Optimization is the process of improving the performance of a program or system by reducing its execution time, memory usage, or other resources. Optimization is important because it can improve the overall user experience, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

Q: What are some common optimization techniques?

A: Some common optimization techniques include:

Code refactoring: Simplifying code to make it more efficient and easier to maintain.
Loop optimization: Improving the performance of loops by reducing the number of iterations or using more efficient algorithms.
Data structure optimization: Choosing the most efficient data structure for a given problem.
Memory optimization: Reducing memory usage by using more efficient data structures or algorithms.
Parallelization: Executing multiple tasks simultaneously to improve performance.

Q: How can I identify performance bottlenecks in my code?

A: To identify performance bottlenecks in your code, you can use various tools and techniques, such as:

Profiling tools: Tools that measure the execution time and memory usage of your code.
Benchmarking: Measuring the performance of your code under different conditions.
Code analysis: Analyzing your code to identify areas that can be improved.
User feedback: Collecting feedback from users to identify areas that need improvement.

Q: What is the difference between `NamedTuple` and `Tuple`?

A: NamedTuple and Tuple are both data structures in Python that can store multiple values. However, NamedTuple is a more recent addition to Python that provides additional features, such as:

Named fields: Fields can be accessed by their name, rather than by index.
Type hints: Type hints can be used to specify the type of each field.
Serialization: NamedTuple objects can be serialized to a string or bytes.

Q: When should I use `Dict` instead of `Tuple` or `NamedTuple`?

A: You should use Dict instead of Tuple or NamedTuple when:

You need to store key-value pairs: Dict is a more natural choice when you need to store key-value pairs.
You need to store dynamic data: Dict can store dynamic data, whereas Tuple and NamedTuple are more suitable for static data.
You need to store data that can be modified: Dict can store data that can be modified, whereas Tuple and NamedTuple are more suitable for immutable data.

Q: How can I optimize my code for better performance?

A: To optimize your code for better performance, you can:

Use more efficient data structures: Choose the most efficient data structure for a given problem.
Use more efficient algorithms: Choose algorithms that have a lower time complexity.
Reduce memory usage: Use more efficient data structures or algorithms to reduce memory usage.
Use parallelization: Execute multiple tasks simultaneously to improve performance.
Profile and benchmark your code: Use profiling and benchmarking tools to identify performance bottlenecks and measure the effectiveness of optimizations.

Q: What are some best practices for optimizing code?

A: Some best practices for optimizing code include:

Keep it simple: Avoid over-optimizing code, as this can make it more complex and harder to maintain.
Use profiling and benchmarking tools: Use profiling and benchmarking tools to identify performance bottlenecks and measure the effectiveness of optimizations.
Test and validate optimizations: Test and validate optimizations to ensure they do not introduce new bugs or performance issues.
Document optimizations: Document optimizations to ensure that they are understood and maintained by other developers.
Continuously monitor and improve performance: Continuously monitor and improve performance to ensure that the code remains efficient and scalable.