Re: Yet another efficiency question - To_Lower

[Laurent Guerby <Laurent.Guerby@enst-bretagne.fr>]

Dale Stanbrough <dale@goanna.cs.rmit.EDU.AU> writes:
> Robert Dewar writes:
> "Indeed, functions returning variable length results will alwqays be less
>  efficient than operating in place on an in out fixed length parameter
>  (fixed length for a particular call)."
> 
> The Ada model for constructors is to have functions returning values.
> The logical implication then is that this is less efficient than the
> C++ in situ constructor model, no?

   I don't think C++ has function variable-length results, so you can
say it's more efficient in C++ if you want ;-).  C++ variable length
data structure must go to the heap (thus using the very efficient
malloc/free stuff, whereas in Ada they can also be on the stack (BTW,
goodbye memory management nightmares).

   Also note that for many kind of constructors, you may be able to
use Ada discriminated types (thus avoiding the need for any
constructor).


-- 
Laurent Guerby <guerby@gnat.com>, Team Ada.
   "Use the Source, Luke. The Source will be with you, always (GPL)."