Benchmark: slice VS splice to remove first element

Script Preparation code:

var list = [];
for (var i = 0; i < 10000 * 1000; i++) {
  list.push(i);
}

Tests:

slice
list.push('slice'); list = list.slice(1);
splice
list.push('splice'); list.splice(1, list.length-1);

Rendered benchmark preparation results:

Suite status: <idle, ready to run>

Previous results

Test case name	Result
slice
splice

Fastest: N/A

Slowest: N/A

Latest run results:

No previous run results

This benchmark does not have any results yet. Be the first one to run it!

Autogenerated LLM Summary (model llama3.2:3b, generated one year ago):

LLMs can make mistakes. Check important info.

Let's dive into the world of JavaScript microbenchmarks on MeasureThat.net.

**What is tested?**

The provided benchmark tests two approaches to remove the first element from an array in JavaScript: using `splice` and using `slice`. The goal is to determine which approach is faster.

**Options compared:**

There are only two options being compared:

1. **splice**: Uses the `splice` method to remove the first element of the array.
2. **slice**: Uses the `slice` method to create a new array with the elements starting from the second position (index 1).

**Pros and Cons of each approach:**

* **splice**: Pros:
	+ Mutates the original array, which can be beneficial if you don't need a copy of the array.
	+ Generally faster than `slice` because it only needs to update the length property of the array.
* Cons:
	+ Modifies the original array, which can lead to unexpected side effects if the array is used elsewhere in the code.
	+ May not be suitable for use cases where a copy of the array is needed.
* **slice**: Pros:
	+ Creates a new array with the desired elements, ensuring the original array remains unchanged.
	+ Can be useful when working with large arrays or when a specific subset of data needs to be extracted.
* Cons:
	+ Creates a new array, which can be slower than modifying the original array using `splice`.
	+ Requires more memory to store the new array.

**Library and syntax:**

There is no library mentioned in the provided benchmark definition. However, both `splice` and `slice` are built-in methods in JavaScript.

* **splice**: Returns a number of elements removed from the array.
* **slice**: Creates a shallow copy of a portion of an array into a new array object.

**Other considerations:**

When working with large arrays or performance-critical code, it's essential to consider the trade-offs between modifying the original array and creating a new one. In general, `splice` is faster but modifies the original array, while `slice` creates a new array but may be slower.

For most use cases, both approaches are acceptable, and the choice ultimately depends on the specific requirements of your project.

**Alternatives:**

Other alternatives to remove the first element from an array include:

* Using the `shift()` method, which also removes the first element from the array.
* Creating a new array using the `Array.prototype.map()` method, which can be slower than `splice` or `slice`.

It's worth noting that the best approach often depends on the specific JavaScript engine, browser, and version being used. MeasureThat.net provides valuable insights into the performance characteristics of different approaches in various environments.

Related benchmarks:

slice VS splice to remove first element (version: 0)

100k list splice and shift win, they mutate list slice loose, it creates a copy of list 7.5x slower

Comparing performance of: slice vs splice

Created: 2 years ago by: Guest

Jump to the latest result

slice

splice

Suite status: <idle, ready to run>

Fastest: N/A

Slowest: N/A

No previous run results

Autogenerated LLM Summary (model llama3.2:3b, generated one year ago):