Semantic Compression (2014)
4 days ago
- #programming
- #code-compression
- #efficiency
- Programming involves determining what the processor needs to do and expressing it efficiently in code.
- Efficiency in programming means optimizing the development process to minimize human effort across the code's lifecycle.
- A holistic view of efficiency includes typing, debugging, modifying, adapting, and integrating code.
- The most efficient programming approach is to treat code like a dictionary compressor, making it semantically smaller by reducing duplication.
- Avoid premature reuse; wait for at least two instances of similar code before refactoring for reusability.
- Well-compressed code is easier to read, maintain, and extend because it mirrors the problem's language and minimizes redundancy.
- Starting with details and compressing them into architecture avoids pitfalls of preemptive architectural planning.