How do you optimize your code quickly?

2 Apply the 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle, states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the context of code optimization, this means that 80% of the performance improvement can come from optimizing 20% of the code. Therefore, you should prioritize the most critical and impactful parts of your code, and avoid spending too much time on the ones that have little or no effect. For example, you can optimize the code that runs in a loop, handles user input, or performs complex calculations, and leave the code that runs only once, is rarely used, or is simple and straightforward.

3 Choose the right data structures and algorithms

One of the most important factors that affect the performance of your code is the choice of data structures and algorithms. Different data structures and algorithms have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of speed, memory usage, and complexity. You should choose the ones that best suit your problem domain, your data size and type, and your expected output. For example, you can use a hash table to store and retrieve data quickly, a linked list to insert and delete data easily, or a binary search to find data efficiently. You should also avoid using unnecessary or redundant data structures or algorithms, such as creating copies of data, sorting data that is already sorted, or using a brute force approach when a smarter one is available.

4 Use built-in or standard libraries

Another way to optimize your code quickly is to use the built-in or standard libraries that come with your programming language or framework. These libraries often provide optimized and tested functions or modules that can perform common or complex tasks for you, such as string manipulation, math operations, data processing, or network communication. Using these libraries can save you time and effort, as well as reduce the chances of errors or bugs. For example, you can use the math library in Python to perform various mathematical functions, such as math.sqrt() to calculate the square root of a number, or math.sin() to calculate the sine of an angle.

5 Follow coding best practices

Finally, you can optimize your code quickly by following some coding best practices that can improve its readability and maintainability. These best practices include using meaningful and consistent names for your variables, functions, and classes, writing clear and concise comments and documentation, following the style and formatting guidelines of your language or framework, and organizing your code into modular and reusable components. These best practices can help you and others understand and modify your code easily, as well as avoid or fix errors or bugs. For example, you can use camelCase or snake_case to name your variables, write a docstring for each function or class, use indentation and whitespace to structure your code, and create functions or classes that have a single responsibility.