Now I'm having to tune this for two machines, one with 128 megs of ram and 700 mhz pIII processor, and a pII 300 mhz with 212 megs of ram.

Something else to consider when optimizing: What is the cost , compared with the cost of implementing various solutions. Multiply the time it takes you to develop an XS-based solution times the cost of your time, and compare this to the cost of adding memory to these machines. You can add a 128Mb stick to a box for < 75 USD right now.(Granted, once you factor in overhead in including purchasing and labor, it costs an organization more this.)

It may well be that capital budget is difficult where you work, and that throwing your time at the problem is less expensive. But this is still a calculation that you and your management (or management equivalent) need to make.

In reply to Re^3: Faster Perl, Good and Bad News by dws
in thread Faster Perl, Good and Bad News by abitkin

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