FastCode: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Project to optimize code for Embarcadero compilers}}

'''FastCode''' is an [[open source programming]] project that aims to provide optimized runtime library routines for [[Embarcadero Delphi]] and [[C++Builder|C++ Builder]]. This community-driven project was started in 2003 by [[Dennis Kjaer Christensen]] and has since contributed optimized functionality to the 32-bit Delphi runtime library (RTL).

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The majority of participants in the competition are assembler developers who often utilize processor-specific 32-bit code and extra instruction sets, such as [[MMX (instruction set)|MMX]], [[Streaming SIMD Extensions|SSE]], [[SSE2]], [[SSE3]], [[SSSE3]] and [[SSE4]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gerixsoft.com/blog/delphi/fastcode|title=How to Optimize Delphi Application Performance to the Max using FastCode Library|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015}}</ref>

The project enjoys the support of Embarcadero who recognizes the contributions of the FastCode team and incorporates their code into the codebase for Delphi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.embarcadero.com/nickhodges/2006/11/27/29891|title=Nick Hodges|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The default [[memory management|memory manager]] for [[Embarcadero Delphi]], FastMM4, is the winner of the FastCode Memory Manager challenge.<ref name="embarcadero.com">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.embarcadero.com/abauer/2005/09/28/21433|title=The Oracle at Delphi|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015|archive-date=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812002619/http://blogs.embarcadero.com/abauer/2005/09/28/21433|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The project was first hosted on Robert Lee's [[OptimalCode]] site, and its source code's home page is [httphttps://fastcode.sourceforge.net/], last updated in 2008. The source code contains both the enhanced routines and the testing suites to benchmark the routines. In 2017, the benchmark routines for Move, FillChar and the memory manager have been ported for 64-bit, available at [https://github.com/maximmasiutin/FastCodeBenchmark].

== Testing ==

The FastCode project puts a lot of effort into testing and focus is on providing very -high -quality software. Testing is split into two categories - testing for correctness and testing for speed.

=== Validation ===

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== List of challenges ==

The FastCode project has run the following challenges [httphttps://fastcode.sourceforge.net/]:

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

*AES ([[Advanced Encryption Standard]])

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FastCode functions included in the Delphi RTL:

*Delphi 2005: CompareText, Int64Div and FillChar.

*Delphi 2006:<ref>Long, Brian & Swart, Bob, "Borland Developer Studio 2006 Reviewed", The Delphi Magazine, Issue 124, December 2005</ref> CompareText, Int64Div and FillChar, FastMM4 memory manager .<ref name="embarcadero.com"/>

*Delphi 2007—Delphi XE: ArcCos, ArcSin, Power, PosEx, Move, Memory Manager, FillChar, Pos, __lldiv, LowerCase, UpperCase, CompareStr, CompareMem, CompareText, StrLen, StrCopy, StrComp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevetrefethen.com/blog/CommunitycontributionsimproveDelphi2007RTLperformance.aspx|title=Community contributions improve Delphi 2007 RTL performance|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306225447/http://www.stevetrefethen.com/blog/community-contributions-improve-delphi-2007-rtl-performance|archive-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>

The ''Mastering Delphi'' books by Marco Cantu contains a chapter about FastCode listing the contributions to the Delphi RTL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marcocantu.com/md2005/UpdateDelphi2006_ch05.html|title=Mastering Delphi Update for Delphi 2006|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015}}</ref>

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== The FastCode Library ==

All the challenge winners are included in the FastCode library (httphttps://fastcode.sourceforge.net/challenge_content/rtl_replcmnt_pkg.html). This library is [[Open-source software|open source]], released under the [[Mozilla Public License|MPL license]]. The library can be used in two ways: 1) calling functions directly, and 2) using the patching functionality.

When calling functions directly it is entirely up to the application developer to call the version of a function he thinks is fastest.

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When using the patching functionality the library automatically detects the CPU type at application load, and uses this information to redirect all function calls to the FastCode winner function for that specific CPU.

== FastMM4 Memorymemory Managermanager ==

The FastMM memory manager used by Delphi and C++ Builder since 2006 is also the winner of a FastCode competition.<ref>Gabrijelcic, Primoz, "To Manage Memory", The Delphi Magazine, Issue 126, February 2006</ref> It replaced the standard memory manager of Delphi and is not only less prone to memory fragmentation, it also provides improved debugging possibilities like being able to report [[memory leak]]s when the application is being closed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.marcocantu.com/blog/fastmm4.html|title=FastMM4|publisher=|accessdate=3 September 2015}}</ref> detecting use after memory release or double releases.

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== Applications using FastCode ==

An application developed in Delphi or C++ Builder will typically use the default memory manager which is FastMM4. FastCode functions in the RTL have been selected to be the most commonly used ones and an application will also typically use some of these, especially if any string handling is done. Most Delphi/C++ Builder applications will therefore use code developed by the FastCode project. Some examples are [[Skype]], [[FL Studio]], and [[Embarcadero Technologies|Embarcadero]]’s own [[RAD Studio]]. [httphttps://hallvards.blogspot.com/2007/05/use-full-fastmm-consider-donating.html Hallvard's blog] describes FastMM4 and why it is being used as the memory manager in [http://www.theonlinetrader.com/ "The Online Trader"] application.

== References ==