Apprendre Performance Considerations | Best Practices and Real-World Applications

Java lambda expressions are a powerful tool for writing concise and expressive code, but understanding how they are implemented under the hood is essential for making informed performance decisions. When you use a lambda in Java, the compiler does not generate a separate class file for each lambda expression. Instead, starting with Java 8, lambdas are implemented using the invokedynamic bytecode instruction, which enables the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to generate the necessary code at runtime. This approach is more efficient than the traditional method of generating anonymous inner classes, which create a new class file for each usage.

However, there are cases where the JVM may generate synthetic classes for lambdas, especially in older versions or in certain scenarios. The use of invokedynamic allows the JVM to optimize lambda instantiation, potentially reusing the same implementation across multiple invocations. Despite these optimizations, it is important to recognize that lambdas are not always "free" in terms of performance. The runtime must still create a function object for each lambda instance, which can lead to memory allocation and garbage collection overhead if not used carefully.

Main.java


              1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        final int iterations = 10_000_000;
        long start, end;

        // Benchmark with anonymous inner class
        Runnable anon = new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                int sum = 0;
                for (int i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
                    sum++;
                }
            }
        };
        start = System.nanoTime();
        anon.run();
        end = System.nanoTime();
        System.out.println("Anonymous inner class: " + (end - start) + " ns");

        // Benchmark with lambda
        Runnable lambda = () -> {
            int sum = 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
                sum++;
            }
        };
        start = System.nanoTime();
        lambda.run();
        end = System.nanoTime();
        System.out.println("Lambda: " + (end - start) + " ns");
    }
}

While Java's lambda implementation is optimized, there are scenarios where using lambdas may introduce overhead. For example, creating lambdas inside tight loops can result in unnecessary object creation, leading to increased memory usage and garbage collection pressure. This is particularly important in performance-critical applications or when processing large data sets. To mitigate this, you should avoid creating new lambda instances inside loops when possible. Instead, try to reuse lambda expressions by defining them outside the loop or as static final fields if they are stateless.

Another consideration is capturing variables from the enclosing scope. When a lambda captures a variable, it may require the JVM to create a new object to hold the captured value, which can add to memory usage. Understanding these nuances can help you write more efficient code and avoid unexpected performance bottlenecks.

Main.java


              1234567891011121314151617
            
package com.example;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.function.Supplier;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        List<Supplier<Integer>> suppliers = new ArrayList<>();
        for (int i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
            int current = i;                      // now effectively final
            suppliers.add(() -> current);         // captures 'current', not 'i'
        }
        System.out.println("Suppliers created: " + suppliers.size());
        // You can observe memory usage using profiling tools
    }
}

1. Which of the following statements is true regarding the performance of lambdas compared to anonymous inner classes in Java?

2. In which situation might using a lambda expression negatively impact performance?

3. Suppose you are processing a large list of items and need to apply a function to each element inside a loop. Is it always appropriate to create a new lambda expression inside the loop from a performance perspective? Why or why not?

Tout était clair ?

Merci pour vos commentaires !

Section 3. Chapitre 2

Demandez à l'IA

Posez n'importe quelle question ou essayez l'une des questions suggérées pour commencer notre discussion

Glissez pour afficher le menu

Main.java


              1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435
            
package com.example;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        final int iterations = 10_000_000;
        long start, end;

        // Benchmark with anonymous inner class
        Runnable anon = new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                int sum = 0;
                for (int i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
                    sum++;
                }
            }
        };
        start = System.nanoTime();
        anon.run();
        end = System.nanoTime();
        System.out.println("Anonymous inner class: " + (end - start) + " ns");

        // Benchmark with lambda
        Runnable lambda = () -> {
            int sum = 0;
            for (int i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
                sum++;
            }
        };
        start = System.nanoTime();
        lambda.run();
        end = System.nanoTime();
        System.out.println("Lambda: " + (end - start) + " ns");
    }
}

Main.java


              1234567891011121314151617
            
package com.example;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.function.Supplier;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        List<Supplier<Integer>> suppliers = new ArrayList<>();
        for (int i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
            int current = i;                      // now effectively final
            suppliers.add(() -> current);         // captures 'current', not 'i'
        }
        System.out.println("Suppliers created: " + suppliers.size());
        // You can observe memory usage using profiling tools
    }
}

1. Which of the following statements is true regarding the performance of lambdas compared to anonymous inner classes in Java?

2. In which situation might using a lambda expression negatively impact performance?

3. Suppose you are processing a large list of items and need to apply a function to each element inside a loop. Is it always appropriate to create a new lambda expression inside the loop from a performance perspective? Why or why not?

Tout était clair ?

Merci pour vos commentaires !

Section 3. Chapitre 2