Benchmark Overview

MeasureThat.net is a website that allows users to create and run JavaScript microbenchmarks. The benchmark in question compares the performance of two approaches: Math.pow(x, 2) and x * x. These two expressions are used to calculate the square of a number.

Options Compared

The benchmark compares the following options:

1. Math.pow(x, 2): This is a built-in JavaScript function that raises x to the power of 2.
2. x * x: This is a simple arithmetic expression that multiplies x by itself.

Pros and Cons

Both approaches have their pros and cons:

• Math.pow(x, 2):
  • Pros: More concise and readable, uses built-in function.
  • Cons: May incur additional overhead due to the function call.
• x * x:
  • Pros: Simple and efficient, no function call overhead.
  • Cons: Less readable and more verbose.

Library Usage

There is no library used in this benchmark. The expressions Math.pow(x, 2) and x * x are built-in JavaScript syntax.

Special JS Features or Syntax

No special features or syntax are used in this benchmark.

Other Considerations

When choosing between these two approaches, consider the following:

• Readability: If code readability is important, using Math.pow(x, 2) may be a better choice.
• Performance: If performance is critical and every byte counts, using x * x may be a better choice.

Alternatives

If you wanted to compare other approaches, some alternatives could include:

1. Using a library: Using a library likelodash or MathJS, which provide optimized mathematical functions, might offer better performance.
2. Vectorization: If working with large arrays, using vectorized operations (e.g., vec.pow(2)) may be faster than iterating over the array.
3. SIMD instructions: Modern CPUs support SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) instructions, which can significantly speed up mathematical operations on vectors.

However, these alternatives would require more complex setup and might not provide a direct comparison to the original Math.pow(x, 2) vs. x * x benchmark.