[Python-Dev] CPython optimization: storing reference counters outside of objects

[Antoine Pitrou]

On Tue, 24 May 2011 14:05:26 +0200
Stefan Behnel <stefan_ml at behnel.de> wrote:
> 
> I doubt that efficient CPU cache usage was a major design goal of PyPy 
> right from the start. IMHO, the project has changed its objectives way too 
> many times to claim something like that, especially at the low level where 
> the CPU cache becomes relevant. I remember that not so long ago, PyPy was 
> hugely memory hungry compared to CPython. Although, one could certainly 
> call *that* "designed for CPU cache usage"... ;)

Well, to be honest, "hugely memory hungry" doesn't necessarily mean
cache-averse. It depends on the locality of memory access patterns.

Regards

Antoine.