Lisp node memory utilization and optimization.

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by Brian Busse, Jul 16, 2003.

  1. Brian Busse

    Brian Busse Guest

    I recall a portion of the R13 or R14 customization documentation that discussed AUTOLISP memory
    utilization in greater detail than is present in the online stuff for 2000 and later, specifically,
    that string constants and AUTOLISP variable names of 6 or less characters used only one "node" of
    memory, and that longer strings or variable names used a node plus memory from string space. The
    result has been contortionist tricks to keep local variables 6 or less chars long. Makes for
    strange names. Is this still true in 2K and later?

    Thanks, Brian.
     
    Brian Busse, Jul 16, 2003
    #1
  2. Producing readable code is far more important than
    this 6-character-or-less symbol name nonsense. What
    good is shaving a few milliseconds off of execution
    time, or saving a few nodes, if the price you pay
    is hopelessly cryptic code?

    That issue is from the dark ages where there were
    hard limits on node space/memory (e.g., circa R12
    and earlier, where (vmon) was used). Visual LISP
    uses virtual memory so this really isn't as much
    of an issue any longer.
     
    Tony Tanzillo, Jul 16, 2003
    #2
  3. Brian Busse

    Rakesh Rao Guest

    Hi Brian,

    To my knowledge, these restrictions do not apply any more.

    Regards
    Rakesh


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    Rakesh Rao, Jul 16, 2003
    #3
  4. I'll second that!

    "(defun GetPlateThickness()... " means a lot more to me than "(defun
    PP25()..." when I am tracing through a file with 100 functions defined.

    -Rick
     
    Rick Francken, Jul 16, 2003
    #4
  5. Brian Busse

    BillZ Guest

    Do you mean you can't remember the names of those hundreds of funtions you defined over the years???
    &lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

    Neither can I! :)



    Bill
     
    BillZ, Jul 16, 2003
    #5
  6. Brian Busse

    Walt Engle Guest

    Not a function - I made a font shape file 15 years ago and haven't done
    one since. Not about to try again.
    WE
     
    Walt Engle, Jul 16, 2003
    #6
  7. If it had been code I developed, I probably still wouldn't remember the names of those functions....All the more reason to use function names that document themselves.



    "BillZ" &lt;&gt; wrote in message news:...

    Do you mean you can't remember the names of those hundreds of funtions you defined over the years???
    &lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

    Neither can I! :)



    Bill
     
    Rick Francken, Jul 17, 2003
    #7
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