Let's dive into the world of JavaScript microbenchmarks on MeasureThat.net.

Benchmark Overview

The benchmark compares two approaches for adding an attribute (or class) to an HTML element: using classList.add() and using setAttribute(). The test case is designed to measure the performance difference between these two methods, which are commonly used in JavaScript development.

Options Compared

Two options are compared:

1. classList.add(): This method adds a class (i.e., attribute) to an element's class list. It's a modern and concise way to modify an element's classes.
2. setAttribute(): This method sets the value of a named attribute on an element. In this case, it's used to add a new class to an element.

Pros and Cons

classList.add():

Pros:

• Modern and widely supported (most browsers support classList since 2015)
• More concise and readable code
• Easier to manage class names and avoid duplication

Cons:

• May not be supported in older browsers or environments
• Can be slower than setAttribute() due to the overhead of manipulating a class list

setAttribute():

Pros:

• Widespread support across older browsers and environments
• Faster execution time, as it directly sets an attribute without creating a class list

Cons:

• More verbose code (requires more characters)
• Can lead to errors if not used carefully (e.g., invalid attribute names or values)

Other Considerations

When deciding between classList.add() and setAttribute(), consider the following factors:

• Browser support: If you need to support older browsers, setAttribute() might be a better choice.
• Code readability and maintainability: Use classList.add() for more concise and readable code.
• Performance: In most cases, classList.add() is faster than setAttribute(), but the difference may not be noticeable in all scenarios.

Libraries and Special Features

In this benchmark, there are no libraries used. However, it's worth noting that some JavaScript frameworks or libraries (e.g., React) might have their own classes for managing class names, which could affect the performance of classList.add() and setAttribute().

As for special JS features or syntax, there is none mentioned in this benchmark definition.

Alternatives

If you're interested in exploring alternative approaches to adding attributes or classes to elements, consider:

• DOM Triton: A web standards library that provides a more modern and efficient way of manipulating the DOM.
• fast-class-list: A lightweight library for managing class lists, which can be used with classList.add() for improved performance.

These alternatives might offer better performance or features than classList.add(), but their adoption is still limited compared to the standard classList API.