Comparison of String iterator performance

1 Minutes reading time

Often we need to iterate over a String. Java gives use several options. We can either use a simple loop with an index using the following style:

for (int i=0;i<theLine.length();i++) {
   char theCurrentChar = theLine.charAt(i);
   // Do something with the character
}

Or we can use the advanced for style using a character array the following way:

for (char theCurrentChar : theLine.toCharArray())  {
  // Do something with the character
}

Checking both options for performance gives us surprising results: Under heavy stress the first syntax takes in an advanced use case about 200 microseconds , the second syntax takes only 91 microseconds! It seems like the String.charAt() Method is the cause of our pain. The solution is also quite simple: always use the seconds syntax and you are safe!

Git revision: 63a36b0

Loading comments...