What are the performance implications of inlining functions?

What are the performance implications of inlining functions?

Inlining functions can improve performance by eliminating the overhead of function calls, but it can also increase code size.

Can you explain how inlining affects code size?

Sure! Inlining replaces function calls with the actual function code, which can lead to larger binaries if used excessively.

Are there any scenarios where inlining is not beneficial?

Yes, inlining can be counterproductive in cases of large functions or when it leads to code bloat, making the cache less efficient.

How does inlining impact optimization by compilers?

Compilers can optimize inlined code better since they have more context, but excessive inlining can hinder other optimizations.

What are some best practices for using inlining?

Best practices include inlining small, frequently called functions and avoiding inlining for large or rarely used functions.