aposd-optimizing-critical-paths
Skill: aposd-optimizing-critical-paths
STOP - The Measure-First Rule
Don't optimize based on intuition—measure first. Intuitions about performance are unreliable, even for experienced developers.
Stage 1 is a GATE: You cannot proceed to optimization without actual profiling data.
The Simplicity-Performance Relationship
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| "Performance requires complexity" | Simpler code usually runs faster |
| "Clean design sacrifices speed" | Clean design and high performance are compatible |
| "Optimization means adding code" | Optimization often means removing code |
Why simplicity improves performance:
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