Benchmark: timing 30 iterations of a, b...
         a:  8 wallclock secs ( 8.30 usr +  0.00 sys =  8.30 CPU) @  3.62/s (n=30)
         b:  9 wallclock secs ( 9.03 usr +  0.02 sys =  9.05 CPU) @  3.32/s (n=30)