[C] TIL that you can use likely() and unlikely() to help the compiler with branch prediction via /r/ProgrammerTIL : marchaase

[C] TIL that you can use likely() and unlikely() to help the compiler with branch prediction via /r/ProgrammerTIL

Posted by marchaase - Jun - 16 - 2023

[C++] TIL that you can use likely() and unlikely() to help the compiler with branch prediction

So if you’re running a null check, but you’re pretty sure it’ll be false, you can say

if(unlikely(ptr == null)){
    doStuff()
}

Of course, the performance increase here is small, but if you’re working on performance critical code, this is pretty useful