Optimizations (was Re: reduce vs. for loop)

[Aahz]

In article <mailman.1017129288.16453.python-list at python.org>,
 <m2 at plusseven.com> wrote:
>
>Just out curiosity, 
>why is fact2 a bit faster than fact1?
>
>def fact1(n):
>    return reduce (operator.mul, range(1L,n + 1))
>
>def fact2(n):
>    result = n * 1L
>    for i in range(1 , n):
>        result *= i
>    return result

Try this:

def fact3(n):
    mul = operator.mul
    return reduce(mul, range(1L, n+1) )

But pay attention to my .sig below.....
-- 
Aahz (aahz at pythoncraft.com)           <*>         http://www.pythoncraft.com/

"We should forget about small efficiencies, about 97% of the time.
Premature optimization is the root of all evil."  --Knuth