LA.pm: ANNOUNCE: Optimize Your Perl Code - June 1, 2002

[Robert Spier]

    I am proud to announce the following 
      Los Angeles Perl Mongers (http://la.pm.org)
        event:

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    OPTIMIZE YOUR PERL - A Tutorial
    Saturday June 1st
    1:00pm - 5:00pm

    Presented by:

     Robert Spier
     Software Engineer
     Walt Disney Feature Animation

    Location:

     Ticketmaster/CitySearch Corporate Headquarters
     3731 Wilshire Blvd,  (Between Oxford & Serrano)
     Los Angeles, CA 90010

    Synopsis:

     Learn how to optimize perl code to make it run faster, by
     choosing the right algorithms, data structures and code
     organization.  This is not about speeding up Perl -- but speeding
     up the code you write

    Outline:

     This tutorial is an introduction to optimizing perl
     applications. It's important knowledge for anyone writing
     time-sensitive applications, from a CGI script to a large
     application.

     1. A brief introduction to complexity theory
    
      Just enough complexity theory to have a basic language to talk
      about runtimes of functions. O(1), O(n), O(n^2), etc. Complexity
      of common perl idioms like map, sort, nested loops, etc. Why is
      some code slow? (And it's not perl's fault!)

     2. Real world / real code examples and how to make them faster

      Examples of O(n^2) or worse functions and how they can be
      improved by an order of magnitude by rewriting the algorithm,
      and possibly changing the data structures used to store
      things. Memoization/Caching/Persistency/Precomputing.

     3. Some simple Benchmarking

      Devel::DProf and Benchmark.pm can help to isolate problem spots
      in your code. Learn how to properly interpret data and how to
      pick the "important" pieces.

     4. Is it worth it?

      Not all time spent optimizing the code is worth it. There are
      trade-offs of time, readability, speed. Discuss development
      strategies, pre-optimization, and over-optimization. O(n) can be
      faster than O(1) for small n.

    Why:

      I'll will be presenting this tutorial at The Perl Conference 6,
      part of O'Reilly's Open Source Convention, in San Diego at the
      end of July. (http://conferences.oreillynet.com/os2002.)  If you
      were to attend the session, you'd pay about $320.  

      But, you can come to my practice session for less than that,
      almost nothing, comparatively.  I ask for two things in return.
      
       1. Please provide me with honest feedback.  I want to know what
          sucks about the tutorial, what you think might be better,
          and what parts you liked.  

       2. I may ask for a (voluntary) donation of $5 to cover
          expenses.[1]

    Special Thanks:

      I want to thank Ticketmaster/CitySearch, Todd Cranston-Cuebas,
      and Ask Bjorn Hansen for agreeing to host this talk.  I know
      they had to pull a bunch of strings, but I'm sure it will be
      worth it.

    Security Considerations:
   
      Because this talk is hosted in a building designed for working,
      and not necessarily public traffic, Ticketmaster will be asking
      us to be mindful of some security requirements.  

      For the safety of everyone involved, they will ask you to sign
      in, so that in the case of an emergency, they know who is in the
      building.  

      To protect their intellectual property, there are portions of
      the building that will require an escort to pass through.  Also,
      they will be asking you to sign a short document that says
      (paraphrased): "If you steal anything while you are here, we
      will sue you and press charges".  I've looked over the document,
      and it is very reasonable and safe.

    Directions:

      Directions to Ticketmaster - Corporate Office
      3731 Wilshire Blvd, (Between Oxford & Serrano)
      Los Angeles CA 90010 
      Telephone: 213.639.8883

      http://makeashorterlink.com/?X1DA22CE

      From 10 Fwy W and 10 Fwy E, exit Western Ave; proceed
      North. Make a right onto Wilshire Blvd. Make a left onto
      Oxford. Make a right to the parking lot behind the building.

      From 110 Fwy N and 110 Fwy S, transition to the 10 Fwy W, exit
      Western; proceed North. Make a right onto Wilshire Blvd. Make a
      right to the parking lot behind the building.

      From 101 Fwy S, exit Western, and make a right. Turn left on
      Wilshire. Make an immediate left on Oxford.  Make a right to the
      parking lot behind the building.

      From Hwy 2 S. Exit Glendale Blvd., turn left.  Make a slight
      right on Alvarado St. Continue straight on Alvarado St.  Turn
      right on Wilshire Blvd. Turn right on Serrano.  Make a right to
      the parking lot behind the building.

      Parking:

      You can park in the parking lot behind the two towers. You can
      enter the outside lot from either Serrano or Oxford. Note that
      parking below the building (Valet parking) is closed on the
      weekends, so be sure to use the outside lot. We have arranged
      for a parking attendant to be there throughout the
      presentation. You will be requested to sign a parking sign-in
      sheet by the arrival. Please put "LA.pm" next to your name so
      that we will be properly billed for your parking.

      Proceed to the Western tower (3731) main lobby. There will be
      someone there to meet & greet you.

      Helpful Hints:

      * The Wilshire Colonnade Building has two white towers. 3731 is
        the Western-most tower with a Washington Mutual Bank branch
        located on the bottom floor.

      * Building is located on the North side of the street.

      * Sav-On Drug store and 24 Hour Fitness are nearby so you'll
        know you're in the right general area!


Footnotes: 

[1]  Potential expenses involve copying costs for outlines or
handouts.  Any remaining funds after expenses will be donated to
either Yet Another Society (http://www.yetanother.org) or the German
Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles (http://www.gsrescue.org).  Employees
of the Walt Disney Company or Ticketmaster/CitySearch will not be
asked to donate.  (And I'm not sure if there will be expenses or
not...)