Performance Rule Set

The performance rule set analyzes code for potential performance problems.

ArrayPrimitive

Using Array<Primitive> leads to implicit boxing and performance hit. Prefer using Kotlin specialized Array Instances.

As stated in the Kotlin documentation Kotlin has specialized arrays to represent primitive types without boxing overhead, such as IntArray, ByteArray and so on.

Active by default: Yes - Since v1.2.0

Requires Type Resolution

Debt: 5min

Noncompliant Code:

fun function(array: Array<Int>) { }

fun returningFunction(): Array<Double> { }

Compliant Code:

fun function(array: IntArray) { }

fun returningFunction(): DoubleArray { }

CouldBeSequence

Long chains of collection operations will have a performance penalty due to a new list being created for each call. Consider using sequences instead. Read more about this in the documentation

Active by default: No

Requires Type Resolution

Debt: 5min

Configuration options:

• threshold (default: 3)

  the number of chained collection operations required to trigger rule

Noncompliant Code:

listOf(1, 2, 3, 4).map { it*2 }.filter { it < 4 }.map { it*it }

Compliant Code:

listOf(1, 2, 3, 4).asSequence().map { it*2 }.filter { it < 4 }.map { it*it }.toList()

listOf(1, 2, 3, 4).map { it*2 }

ForEachOnRange

Using the forEach method on ranges has a heavy performance cost. Prefer using simple for loops.

Benchmarks have shown that using forEach on a range can have a huge performance cost in comparison to simple for loops. Hence, in most contexts, a simple for loop should be used instead. See more details here:

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 1

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 2

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 3

To solve this CodeSmell, the forEach usage should be replaced by a for loop.

Active by default: Yes - Since v1.0.0

Debt: 5min

Noncompliant Code:

(1..10).forEach {
    println(it)
}
(1 until 10).forEach {
    println(it)
}
(10 downTo 1).forEach {
    println(it)
}

Compliant Code:

for (i in 1..10) {
    println(i)
}

SpreadOperator

In most cases using a spread operator causes a full copy of the array to be created before calling a method. This has a very high performance penalty. Benchmarks showing this performance penalty can be seen here:

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 1

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 2

• Exploring Kotlin Hidden Costs - Part 3

The Kotlin compiler since v1.1.60 has an optimization that skips the array copy when an array constructor function is used to create the arguments that are passed to the vararg parameter. When type resolution is enabled in detekt this case will not be flagged by the rule since it doesn't suffer the performance penalty of an array copy.

Active by default: Yes - Since v1.0.0

Debt: 20min

Noncompliant Code:

val strs = arrayOf("value one", "value two")
val foo = bar(*strs)

fun bar(vararg strs: String) {
    strs.forEach { println(it) }
}

Compliant Code:

// array copy skipped in this case since Kotlin 1.1.60
val foo = bar(*arrayOf("value one", "value two"))

// array not passed so no array copy is required
val foo2 = bar("value one", "value two")

fun bar(vararg strs: String) {
    strs.forEach { println(it) }
}

UnnecessaryPartOfBinaryExpression

Unnecessary binary expression add complexity to the code and accomplish nothing. They should be removed. The rule works with all binary expression included if and when condition. The rule also works with all predicates. The rule verify binary expression only in case when the expression use only one type of the following operators || or &&.

Active by default: No

Debt: 5min

Noncompliant Code:

val foo = true
val bar = true

if (foo || bar || foo) {
}

Compliant Code:

val foo = true
if (foo) {
}

UnnecessaryTemporaryInstantiation

Avoid temporary objects when converting primitive types to String. This has a performance penalty when compared to using primitive types directly. To solve this issue, remove the wrapping type.

Active by default: Yes - Since v1.0.0

Debt: 5min

Noncompliant Code:

val i = Integer(1).toString() // temporary Integer instantiation just for the conversion

Compliant Code:

val i = Integer.toString(1)