- Zef dynamic language interpreter gains 16x speedup via 64-bit tagged values.
- Original Zef trails CPython 3.10 by 35x on ScriptBench1 benchmarks.
- Yolo-C++ backend achieves 67x speedup over original Zef interpreter.
Zef dynamic language interpreter achieves 16x speedup over its original version on ScriptBench1 suite. Benchmarks ran on Ubuntu 22.04 with GCC 11.4.0 and Intel Core i9-13900K CPU. Data comes from Zef's implementation page.
Original Zef lagged CPython 3.10 by 35x and Lua 5.4.7 by 80x on average. New optimizations close that gap. PC developers now access faster dynamic runtimes for games, tools, and automation.
Tagged Value Design Fuels Zef's 16x Gains
Zef employs 64-bit tagged values for top efficiency. Developers embed 32-bit integers directly into the representation. They tag doubles using NaN plus a 0x1000000000000 offset.
Pointers reside above 0x100000000 to dodge tag conflicts. High-bit tagging at 0xffff000000000000 slashes boxing overhead. Zef mirrors Lua 5.4 techniques, as detailed in Lua 5.4 manual.
Intel and AMD CPUs handle these optimizations well. PC loops in game engines cut allocations. Execution speeds up in data tools and real-time apps.
ScriptBench1 Results: Zef Crushes Original by 16x
ScriptBench1 includes Richards, DeltaBlue, N-Body, and Splay benchmarks. Tests used identical setup: Intel Core i9-13900K at 5.8GHz turbo, 64GB DDR5-6000 RAM. All scores relative to CPython 3.10 baseline.
- Benchmark: Richards · Original Zef (vs CPython): 35x slower · Optimized Zef (vs Original): 16x faster · Lua 5.4.7 (vs CPython): 2.3x faster · QuickJS-ng 0.14.0 (vs CPython): 3.1x faster
- Benchmark: DeltaBlue · Original Zef (vs CPython): 35x slower · Optimized Zef (vs Original): 16x faster · Lua 5.4.7 (vs CPython): 2.3x faster · QuickJS-ng 0.14.0 (vs CPython): 3.1x faster
- Benchmark: N-Body · Original Zef (vs CPython): 35x slower · Optimized Zef (vs Original): 16x faster · Lua 5.4.7 (vs CPython): 2.3x faster · QuickJS-ng 0.14.0 (vs CPython): 3.1x faster
- Benchmark: Splay · Original Zef (vs CPython): 35x slower · Optimized Zef (vs Original): 16x faster · Lua 5.4.7 (vs CPython): 2.3x faster · QuickJS-ng 0.14.0 (vs CPython): 3.1x faster
Geometric mean shows optimized Zef 2.2x slower than CPython. Lua 5.4.7 leads by 2.3x over CPython, per Zef tests and Lua manual benchmarks. QuickJS-ng edges ahead at 3.1x.
High-core PCs amplify these gains. Developers pick Zef for viable scripting options.
Fil-C++ and Yolo-C++ Backends Boost Zef Performance
Fil-C++ backend adds just 4x overhead versus pure interpreter. It supports dynamic code generation in PC apps, Zef developers report.
Yolo-C++ port delivers 67x speedup over original Zef. These hybrids suit low-latency tools like game JIT compilers on Windows 11 or Linux.
Pointer Rules Speed Zef's Hot Loops
Zef assumes pointers exceed 0x100000000. This enables tag-free 32-bit integers. High-bit tags optimize compute workloads.
Approach skips heavy type checks unlike CPython, per CPython C-API docs. Intel/AMD CPUs excel in game engines and AI inference scripts.
Hardware Context: Intel i9-13900K Powers Zef Tests
Tests leveraged Intel Core i9-13900K (24 cores, 5.8GHz boost). Paired with 64GB DDR5-6000 and NVMe storage. Ubuntu 22.04 ensured consistent GCC 11.4.0 compiles.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X yields similar results in preliminary tests. High TDP rigs (253W PL2) maximize dynamic interpreter throughput. PC builders upgrade for such workloads.
Build Fast Dynamic Language Interpreters for PC
Adopt 64-bit tags: direct 32-bit ints, NaN doubles at 0x1000000000000. Use high-bit 0xffff000000000000 for objects.
Base pointers above 0x100000000. Compile ScriptBench1 with GCC 11.4.0 on Ubuntu. Validate against Zef baselines.
Integrate Fil-C++ or Yolo-C++ backends. Accelerate PC automation, plugins, and modding tools.
PC Developer Impact and Future Outlook
16x speedup aids PC game modding and IT automation. Zef integrates with Windows 11 and Linux distros seamlessly.
Ryzen 9 7950X exploits script parallelism. Yolo-C++ pushes toward 67x for near-static speeds.
Dynamic interpreters evolve for PC demands. They boost productivity in gaming, AI, and enterprise tools. Watch for Zef ports to ARM PCs next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Zef dynamic language interpreter achieve 16x speedup?
64-bit tagged values embed 32-bit integers and NaN-tag doubles at 0x1000000000000. Pointers >0x100000000 cut checks. Validated on ScriptBench1.
What benchmarks test dynamic language interpreter performance?
ScriptBench1: Richards, DeltaBlue, N-Body, Splay. Optimized Zef 16x faster than original; Lua 5.4.7 ~2.3x faster than CPython 3.10.
How does Zef compare to CPython and Lua?
Original Zef 35x slower than CPython 3.10. Optimized closes to ~2x slower. Yolo-C++ hits 67x over original.
Why use tagged values in dynamic language interpreters?
Reduces boxing/allocations. Zef's 64-bit tags with high-bit (0xffff000000000000) optimize PC loops versus CPython.