Extreme Advantage
Volume Number: 11
Issue Number: 4
Column Tag: Screaming Performance
Taking Extreme Advantage of PowerPC 
Performance analysis and tuning tips to help your programs scream!
By Eric Traut, Cupertino, CA, etraut@apple.com
Note: Source code files accompanying article are located on MacTech CD-ROM orsource code disks.
The Importance of Performance
By now, most people in the computer industry have received the message: PowerPC
offers impressive performance gains over older CISC architectures. This is especially
obvious to Macintosh developers who have already ported their software to the new
architecture. Many have seen performance gains in the 200-400% range. But is this
enough?
Although it is true that personal computers consistently double in speed every 18
months or so, computer users continue to demand faster and faster machines. In fact,
the general public is probably more aware of computer performance now than ever
before. Showdowns between such rivals as PowerPC and Intel’s Pentium are
frequently covered in the media, increasing public awareness further. Developers
continue to create more sophisticated and CPU-intensive applications. This all boils
down to the fact that software performance tuning is more important than ever.
Customers demand low-cost, high-performance machines, and Apple has staked
its future on PowerPC because it believes that RISC can deliver on these promises.
However, the maximum benefit of RISC can be realized only with the support and
cooperation of third-party software vendors. Many developers have already taken the
first step and ported their products to run native on PowerPC-based Macs. The next
step involves performance analysis, tuning and, most importantly, innovation. By
taking advantage of new-found speed in imaginative ways, developers can deliver
dazzling software that is easier and more enjoyable for users.