Noob Method Question:- Ignoring Return

BlitzMax Forums/BlitzMax Beginners Area/Noob Method Question:- Ignoring Return

H&K	(Posted 2006) [#1]

For resons I dont want to go into I have a Create Method Template of;

Method Set:TTheType (ParamList:Various)

      Self.AllTheFields = ParamList
      Return Self

EndMethod

So, Im sitting in my code and I make a new TTheType by

MyOneOfThese:TTheType = New TTheType.Set(ParamList)

Ok. So assume that that bit is fine, and I dont change it.

However I want somtimes to simple change all the fields, so I do this

MyOneOfThese.Set (NewParamList)

Now the questions,

Concept question:
If Im not allocating the "Self" returned from Set:TTheType, was it passed to me, or did the compiler not bother?

Aplication Question;
If I had a Method that didnt return Self, (SetNoReturn for example), but did the same thing. Would that method run quicker?

tonyg

(Posted 2006) [#2]

There's a slight difference in time over 10000s of iterations between capturing the return and letting it drop.
Not returning anything gives same time as returning but not capturing.

Type ttest
	Field x
	Method set(x)
		x = x
'		Return Self
	End Method
End Type
mynew:TTest = New ttest
t1=MilliSecs()
For x = 0 To 10000000
mynew.set(6)
Next 
t2=MilliSecs()
'For x = 0 To 10000000
'myold:TTest = mynew.set(6)
'Next
't3 = MilliSecs()
Print (t2-t1) '+ " " + (t3-t2)

H&K	(Posted 2006) [#3]

Right, so

Type ttest
	Field x:Int
	Method set:ttest(x)
		x = x
		Return Self
	End Method
End Type

Is infact quicker than

Type ttest
	Field x:Int
	Method set(x)
		x = x
	End Method
End Type

This was infact what I was getting, but I didnt understand why. Basicaly it means that any member Method that isnt going to return anything should be optimised by making it return the type. And for the life of me, I cannot understand why, and so am loath to take advantage of it.

Edit: Its only a bit quicker, so its an "On adverage" quicker, over say 10 runs. Still wierd tho

tonyg

(Posted 2006) [#4]

Not sure what results you got.
Mine suggested no difference between 'return but drop' and
not returning self and a very slight difference 4 ms over
10 million iterations.

H&K	(Posted 2006) [#5]

On adverage, ~10 ms increase in speed on "return but drop" over dont return.

I know this is an arbitary speed increase, but as I was worried that it would be a decrease in speed, this 10ms is still good. (10ms out of 150)