Benchmark Overview

The MeasureThat.net website allows users to create and run JavaScript microbenchmarks. The provided benchmark compares the execution times of two methods: btoa (base64 encoding) and JSON.stringify. These methods are used to encode data in a compact binary format.

Test Cases

There are four test cases:

1. Base64 Short String: Measures the execution time of btoa(dataShort)
2. Base64 Long String: Measures the execution time of btoa(dataLong)
3. JSON Short String: Measures the execution time of JSON.stringify(dataShort)
4. JSON Long String: Measures the execution time of JSON.stringify(dataLong)

Options Compared

The benchmark compares two encoding methods:

1. Base64 (btoa): A binary-safe encoding scheme that represents data as a 64-character base64 string.
2. JSON.stringify: A method from the JavaScript standard library that converts a value to a JSON string.

Pros and Cons of Each Approach

Base64 (btoa)

Pros:

• Compact binary format
• Fast execution times

Cons:

• Not human-readable or machine-readable without additional processing
• May not be suitable for all data types (e.g., non-ASCII characters)

JSON.stringify

Pros:

• Human-readable and easy to debug
• Suitable for most data types, including strings, numbers, and objects

Cons:

• Larger byte size compared to base64
• Slower execution times due to string concatenation and JSON parsing

Library Used

In this benchmark, btoa uses the Web API's built-in base64 encoding function.

Special JS Feature or Syntax

There are no special JavaScript features or syntaxes used in this benchmark. The code only employs standard JavaScript constructs like variables, strings, and functions.

Other Alternatives

If you're looking for alternative encoding methods, consider:

1. URLSearchParams: A modern API for encoding URL parameters.
2. text-encoding libraries: Such as utf8-escape or base64-js, which provide more control over the encoding process.
3. Custom encoding algorithms: Depending on your specific requirements, you may want to implement a custom encoding algorithm using JavaScript.

Example Use Cases

Base64 encoding is commonly used in scenarios like:

• Data storage and transmission (e.g., images, videos, or audio files)
• URL parameter encoding
• Security-related applications (e.g., encryption, authentication)

JSON.stringify is often used for:

• Debugging and logging purposes
• Serializing data structures (e.g., objects, arrays) for storage or transfer
• Displaying data in human-readable formats