Implementation Issues

Working with Text in AWT

After some code profiling and trace [Runtime.getRuntime().traceMethodCalls(true); and use of java_g] we notice in java 1.1.x many object allocation during a single drawString (mainly String to Vector/char conversion). Some tests with drawBytes raise problem under linux (drawBytes don't use the correct font).

Cost of Synchronized Method

In the JDK interpreter, calling a synchronized method is typically 10 times slower than calling an unsynchronized method. With JIT compilers, this performance gap has increased to 50-100 time.

Basic Combinator and Optimization

As basic combinators (Horizontal or Vertical) will provide the building block of more complex combinators, we must adopt a good trade-off between efficiency and maintainability. A rapid analysis of the context of use shows that vertical display/formatting is the true problem. Horizontal ineffiency is less sensitive as from ergonomic point of view a display should be complient with a standard screen.