Question

In C, when compiled to a x86 machine, I would usually replace branches with logical expression, when speed is the most important aspect, even if the conditions are complex, for example, instead of

char isSomething() {
    if (complexExpression01) {
        if (complexExpression02) {
            if(!complexExpression03) {
                return 1;
            }
        }
    }
    return 0;
}

I will write:

char isSomething() {
    return complexExpression01 &&
           complexExpression02 &&
           !complexExpression03 ;
}

Now clearly, this might be a harder to maintain, and less readable code, but it might actually be faster.

Is there any reason to act the same way when working with managed code, such as C#? Are “jumps” expensive in managed code as they are in unmanaged code (at least on x86)?

Answer 1

The two expressions will result in the same number of tests, as the logical and operator (&&) has short-circuit semantics in both C and C#. The premise of your question (that the second way of expressing the program results in less branching) is therefore incorrect.