Premature optimization is the root of all evil
When writing or optimizing code
Understanding the Rule
Optimizing for performance before understanding actual bottlenecks wastes time and creates complexity. Make it work first, measure, then optimize only proven problems.
What Happens When You Break It
Premature optimization wastes time, creates unnecessary complexity, often optimizes wrong things, makes code harder to maintain, and provides negligible benefit.
Benefits of Following This Rule
Optimizing actual measured bottlenecks provides real gains, maintains code simplicity, focuses effort effectively, and improves what actually matters.