OC-PM: LA.pm tutorial

[Samy Kamkar]

I hope some of you will be able to join us for this event!  I should be 
in OC on Saturday, actually...

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

     Presented by:

      Robert Spier
      Software Engineer
      Walt Disney Feature Animation

     Location:

      Ticketmaster 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(n2), 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(n2) 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, 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 will not be
asked to donate.  (And I'm not sure if there will be expenses or
not...)

-- 
Samy Kamkar -- cp5 -- SKamkar at LucidX.com
LucidX.com / LA.pm.org / code.LucidX.com