Question

We are in the process of the optimization of a Flex AS3 Application.

One of my team members suggested we make the variable name lengths smaller to optimize the application performance.

I.e.:

var IsRegionSelected:Boolean = false; //Slower
var IsRS:Boolean = false; //faster

Is this true?

Answer 1

No, the gain you will obtain will be only for the size of the swf.

String are put into a constant pool and instruction refering to this String will use an index.

it can be seen as (very schematic) :

constant pool:

[0] IsRegionSelected
[1] IsRS

usage:

value at 0 = false
value at 1 = false

Your code will be probably translated as (for local variable):

push false
setlocal x

push false
setlocal y

where x and y are register int assign by the compiler, so no difference if it’s register 2 or register 4

For more detailed read the avm specification