Before 2.8, the scala compiler compiled generic classes using type erasure, just like Java. However, there is a significant performance drop for primitive types: in order to satisfy the JVM requirements, primitive values need to be boxed when they enter generic code.

Boxing means wrapping a primitive value in a heap-allocated object. Whenever code operates on such values, it needs first to extract the value from the object, operate on it, then box it back.

Specialization ensures that boxing does not happen, by generating specialized versions of generic code.

Performance improvements may reach an order of magnitude.

In this talk Iulian will look at several specialized classes in the standard library, he will explain how specialization works, the benefits and some potential traps.

Just a thought . . . If you enjoy this talk, you might also be interested in:

• Functional Programming eXchange, March 18, 2011
• Scala eXchange, June 22-23, 2011
• Scala Lift Off, Oct 6-7, 2011
• Martin Odersky's Object-Oriented Meets Functional: An Exploration of Scala (taught by Iulian Dragos)
• Miles Sabin's Advanced Scala Development Workshop
• Jonas Bonér's Pragmatic Real-World Scala
• Jonas Bonér's Akka Overview Workshop

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