Exapunks tutorial 4 cycles hints code#

Some tasks may require others to be completed first. (Opinions may vary.)įor each challenge, split it up into tasks, and handle each task individually. This is, to my mind, the most in depth and satisfying area to optimise. NOTE DROP AND HALT UNNEEDED Cycle optimisation Using Canaries and Terminators can avoid writing clean-up code.MARK takes up space, which may be counter intuitive for some people coming from other languages.MARK END DROP HALT is very similar to DIVI X T X A pattern like COPY M X ADDI X val X can be replaced with ADDI M val X.

Exapunks tutorial 4 cycles hints code#

Re-order code so your EXA can just drop into the next section without having to JUMP there.This also applies in places where the EXA would crash trying to go into the next section.DROP HALT does the same thing as simply HALT.Avoid doing things like DROP HALT at the end of your file.If you have repeated sections, consider whether you can create a loop, or a unified section to JUMP to.Save a return trip by sending information required back via GLOBAL M, and then dying.Save two jumps through a link by jumping once, and then using a REPL to create your second worker.Any time you use a link twice, consider whether it is necessary.Improved cycles performance can often be found using methods that use more space (paradoxically), or more LINKs and KILLs. It may be necessary to sacrifice one metric to help another.Watch performance closely, and try to identify wasted cycles / instructions / links.Activity - the number of successful LINKs performed while completing a task.Space - the number of lines of instructions it takes to complete the task.Cycles - the time it takes (in cycles) to complete the task.The level score is given for the worst-case performance. Optimisation is trying to improve one (or more) of the three level metrics (cycles, space, activity). You are recommended to try optimising as best you can without this guide, and then - once you are stuck for ways to find improvements - come back and see what other tricks you can try. You may find it is more fun to discover these strategies for yourself. WARNING: SPOILERS! While no particular solution to any particular puzzle is given here, no guarantee is made that examples aren't very relevant to certain puzzles.