Let's dive into the world of MeasureThat.net and explore what's being tested in this benchmark.

Benchmark Definition

The benchmark definition is provided as a JSON object, which defines a JavaScript function called Object.byString. This function takes two arguments: an object o and a string s. The function is designed to retrieve a value from the object using the provided string path. Here's a breakdown of what's being tested:

• The Object.byString function is used to test how different browsers and platforms perform when accessing nested properties in an object.
• The input object is {a: 1}, and the property path is 'a'. However, as we'll see later, there are variations in this benchmark that test different paths.

Options Compared

In this benchmark, two main options are being compared:

1. Lodash's get() method: Lodash is a popular JavaScript library that provides utility functions for common tasks. The get() method is used to access nested properties in an object. By using Lodash, the benchmark ensures consistent behavior across different browsers and platforms.
2. Native JavaScript implementation: The native JavaScript implementation uses the Object.byString function provided by MeasureThat.net. This approach relies on the browser's built-in support for accessing nested properties.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of each approach:

• Lodash's get() method:
  • Pros:
    • Consistent behavior across different browsers and platforms.
    • Provides a simple and intuitive way to access nested properties.
  • Cons:
    • Requires an additional dependency (Lodash) for the benchmark.
    • May introduce overhead due to the library's presence in the test environment.
• Native JavaScript implementation:
  • Pros:
    • Eliminates the need for an additional dependency (Lodash).
    • Can provide better performance, as it relies on native browser support.
  • Cons:
    • Behavior may vary across different browsers and platforms.
    • Requires careful consideration of edge cases and platform-specific issues.

Library: Lodash

Lodash is a popular JavaScript library that provides a wide range of utility functions for common tasks. The get() method is used to access nested properties in an object, which makes it an ideal choice for this benchmark.

In the provided JSON, you can see that the Html Preparation Code includes a link to the Lodash CDN, ensuring that the library is available during testing.

Special JS Feature: ES6 Modules

The benchmark definition uses ES6 modules (import/export syntax) to define the Object.byString function. This feature is supported in modern browsers and provides a more concise way of defining functions and variables.

While not all browsers support ES6 modules, MeasureThat.net likely relies on a subset of modern browsers that do. If you were to run this benchmark in an older browser that doesn't support ES6 modules, you might encounter issues with the code syntax.

Alternatives

If you're interested in exploring alternative approaches or testing other scenarios, here are some options:

• Use a different library: Consider using another utility function library like Moment.js (for date-related tasks) or Underscore.js (for functional programming tasks).
• Native JavaScript implementation variations: Experiment with different native JavaScript implementations for accessing nested properties, such as Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call() or in operator.
• Browser-specific optimizations: Test optimized versions of the benchmark for specific browsers, taking into account platform-specific features and performance optimizations.

I hope this explanation helps you understand what's being tested in MeasureThat.net!