Re: The meaning of 'sugar' [Forked from Re: Why do we have ipairs?]

[Ross Bencina <rossb-lists@...>]

On 14/06/2014 12:17 AM, Paige DePol wrote:
> > Is the "perfomance degradation" of using names (variables) instead
> > of constants in an if-chain similar to what it does in your switch
> > > statement? (You may try it with different kinds of variables.)
>
> What "performance degradation" do you mean?

I think Robert means to ask: what is the comparative performance of an 
if-chain vs. your switch statement implementation. And how does this 
comparison vary with different case types (e.g. string and number 
constants vs variables).


> I thought we were commenting on the degradation of code
> readability by the use of "magic numbers" instead
> of symbolic constants?

That is one part of the discussion.

Another part is about potential performance benefits of having a 
built-in switch construct. Does it always perform better? Or only when 
used with constants?

Ross.