It is actually quite easy to beat gnusort for performance.

Firstly it uses miniscule buffers relative to modern memory sizes necessitating far more write read cycles than could ever be optimum.

Secondly, with most machines having multiple cores these days, it is silly not to utilise them.

Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

In reply to Re^2: Linux sort or FILE::SORT by BrowserUk
in thread Linux sort or FILE::SORT by perl_lover_always

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