Benchmark Overview

MeasureThat.net is a website that allows users to create and run JavaScript microbenchmarks. The provided benchmark definition consists of two test cases: JSON.stringify and object-hash. These tests compare the performance of two approaches for hashing objects.

Test Case 1: JSON.stringify

• Description: This test case compares the execution time of JSON.stringify(v1) and JSON.stringify(v2), where v1 and v2 are two identical objects.
• Purpose: The purpose of this test is to measure the performance of JSON.stringify() in hashing objects. JSON.stringify() converts a JavaScript object into a JSON string, which can be hashed using various algorithms.
• Pros:
  • Simple and widely supported implementation.
  • Fast execution time due to its optimized algorithm.
• Cons:
  • May not provide the most accurate or robust hash values, as it's designed for human-readable serialization rather than cryptographic hashing.
  • May produce different results on different platforms or browsers due to differences in JSON string formatting.

Test Case 2: object-hash

• Description: This test case compares the execution time of objectHash(v1) and objectHash(v2), where v1 and v2 are two identical objects.
• Purpose: The purpose of this test is to measure the performance of objectHash() in hashing objects. objectHash() is a custom implementation specifically designed for hashing JavaScript objects.
• Pros:
  • Optimized for hashing objects, providing more accurate and robust hash values.
  • May produce consistent results across platforms and browsers.
• Cons:
  • Custom implementation may not be as widely supported or optimized as built-in functions like JSON.stringify().
  • Execution time may vary depending on the specific object structure and complexity.

Library: Hash-sum

The provided benchmark uses two libraries:

1. Hash-sum: A JavaScript library for hashing strings, used in conjunction with JSON.stringify() to compare its performance.
2. object-hash: A custom implementation specifically designed for hashing JavaScript objects.

Special JS Feature/Syntax

There are no specific special features or syntaxes mentioned in the benchmark definition. However, it's worth noting that the use of JSON serialization and hashing implies familiarity with the standard JavaScript object notation and data structures.

Alternatives

Some alternative approaches to hashing objects include:

1. Crypto libraries: Utilizing cryptographic hash functions like SHA-256 or BLAKE2 for generating hashes.
2. Hash function implementations: Implementing custom hash functions, such as MurmurHash or Cityhash, which may offer better performance or accuracy for specific use cases.
3. Object serialization: Using alternative object serialization formats, like JSON-LD or MessagePack, which may provide more efficient or secure hashing options.

In summary, the benchmark definition provides a clear understanding of the test cases and their purposes, as well as the libraries used. By considering the pros and cons of each approach, developers can make informed decisions about which hashing method to use in their own projects.