This benchmark compares two different methods for converting a random number represented as a string into an integer: Math.floor and parseInt.

Description of Options Compared

1. Math.floor:

   • Benchmark Definition: let floor = Math.floor(Math.random().toString());
   • Test Name: Math.floor
   • Purpose: Math.floor rounds down a number to the nearest integer. In this context, it is being applied to a random number converted to a string (via Math.random().toString()). This conversion, however, is somewhat unconventional because Math.random() returns a floating-point number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive), and converting it to a string before applying Math.floor doesn't have a practical benefit in converting it back to a number.

2. parseInt:

   • Benchmark Definition: let parse = parseInt(Math.random().toString());
   • Test Name: parseInt
   • Purpose: parseInt parses a string argument and returns an integer of the specified radix (the base in mathematical numeral systems). The method will parse the random string until it hits a character that is not valid in the specified radix. This method may process the same random string but effectively stops parsing when it encounters the first non-numeric character following the numeric value.

Pros and Cons

• Math.floor:

  • Pros:
    • Straightforward approach when working with floating-point numbers.
    • It guarantees that the resulting value will always be an integer (by rounding down).
  • Cons:
    • Using it on a string representation of a number doesn't make situational sense, as it's expected that the input should already be numeric and not a string.
    • This could lead to unexpected results or misinterpretations if the input format varies.

• parseInt:

  • Pros:
    • Effectively handles strings and parses out the integer value, making it directly useful for string manipulations that might include additional characters.
    • More versatile in handling various string formats, as it stops parsing when encountering a character that doesn't fit the specified radix.
  • Cons:
    • If the string starts with a non-numeric character, parseInt will return NaN, which may require additional error handling depending on the input scenarios.
    • It can lead to unexpected results if not careful with the input string's format (e.g., leading white spaces, mixed characters).

Benchmark Results

In the latest results provided, parseInt executes at approximately 13,189,563 executions per second, while Math.floor executes at about 11,600,859 executions per second. Thus, parseInt is faster in this particular benchmark on the tested platform.

Other Considerations and Alternatives

1. Alternatives:

   • Number Constructor: Another option for converting strings to numbers is the Number constructor (let num = Number(Math.random().toString());). This can provide more predictable behavior than parseInt when converting strings to numbers, as it will yield NaN if the string cannot be converted.
   • Bitwise OR Operation: Utilizing bitwise operators such as the bitwise OR (let num = Math.random() | 0;) can also yield integer values without the need for explicit methods but may only be useful for non-negative numbers due to its behavior with regards to negative values.

2. Final Thoughts: Both methods under evaluation have distinct purposes, and their use cases depend on the desired inputs and expected behavior. It is important for developers to consider not just performance but also correctness and readability when choosing which to implement in their codebases.