Choosing the Right Shape
7. Data Size and Predictability
The most important thing when choosing a shape is how well you know your data. Do you know ahead of time how much data you will have? Is it likely to change? The more predictable your data, the more likely it is that a static shape will be a good fit. If your data is of unpredictable size, dynamic shapes will make your life much easier.
If you underestimate the size required for your static shape, you will likely run into issues and your system will not run correctly. You also do not want to overestimate too much and allocate too much storage, because the data will be taking up unnecessary memory space that could be used for other things.
When considering a dynamic shape, take some time to consider the maximum amount of data your shape is likely to receive. Dynamic shapes make more use of your processing power, and if you do not limit the size of your shape you could run into situations where you run out of processing power and crash the system.
Think about the impact on your system if you are wrong. Choosing the wrong shape can have far-reaching effects that can lead to your system running poorly or not at all. It is important to carefully consider how this will play out when deciding which type of shape to go with.
8. Performance Considerations
Static shapes generally offer better performance due to their predictable memory layout. The computer can access data more efficiently when it knows exactly where everything is located. Dynamic shapes, on the other hand, can introduce overhead due to the need to dynamically allocate and deallocate memory. Because of this, using dynamic shapes can take more processing power.
However, the performance difference may not always be significant, especially for smaller datasets. Modern memory management techniques can minimize the overhead associated with dynamic shapes. Before committing to a static shape solely for performance reasons, it's important to benchmark both options and see which one performs better in your specific use case. Do not waste time optimizing when you can simply test!
Be sure to think about the overall use case for your program. Many applications are made to process large amounts of data quickly, such as video editing software. These programs require the best performance to run smoothly, and you may want to use static shapes where possible.
Consider the cost of allocating too much processing power for your dynamic shape. Sometimes the costs of using too many resources can outweigh the benefit of a dynamic shape, and a static shape may be the best option.
9. Memory Usage
Static shapes require you to allocate the memory upfront, regardless of whether you actually use all of it. This can lead to wasted memory if you overestimate the size of the shape. Dynamic shapes only allocate memory as needed, which can be more memory-efficient if the shape doesn't always grow to its maximum size.
However, dynamic shapes can also introduce memory fragmentation. As memory is allocated and deallocated over time, it can become fragmented, leading to reduced memory utilization. Memory fragmentation can lead to significant slowdowns for your processing. To mitigate memory fragmentation, you may want to consider memory pooling techniques.
Consider the impact of unused memory allocated to static shapes. Are you wasting memory that could be used for other purposes? If so, it may be beneficial to move to a dynamic shape and limit it to a maximum size. This can prevent issues related to memory fragmentation.
Consider also what the overall memory requirements for the system are and if using a static shape would be reasonable. If memory is at a premium, you may have no choice but to move to using a dynamic shape.