JSON or Gob: Which is Faster for Object Duplication in Go?

Speeding Up Object Duplication in Go: Comparing JSON and Gob

Duplicating objects in Go can be achieved using different techniques. This article explores the performance of two popular approaches: JSON encoding/decoding via the encoding/json package and gob encoding/decoding via the encoding/gob package.

Testing JSON vs Gob Performance

To evaluate the performance difference, a test setup is used where a nested struct is duplicated multiple times. The time taken by both JSON and gob cloning is measured and averaged over numerous iterations.

Analyzing the Results

Contrary to expectations, in the sample test, JSON encoding/decoding proves to be faster than gob. This differs from the general expectation that gob encoding is more efficient.

Understanding the Encoding/Decoding Process

The key difference lies in the handling of type definitions. Gob encoding requires transmitting type definitions along with data values. This process, known as "type registration," adds overhead during the initial encoding. However, when the same type is used consistently, this overhead is amortized, resulting in better performance for gob.

Optimizing Gob Performance

To demonstrate this effect, a modification is made to enlarge the fields of the test struct to arrays of the same type. By increasing the data size while keeping the type definition unchanged, the cost of type registration is reduced relative to the data transmission time. As a result, gob encoding/decoding outperforms JSON encoding/decoding.

Limitations of Generic Duplication Methods

While JSON and gob cloning provide generic solutions, they have drawbacks such as:

• Limited to cloning exported fields due to reliance on reflection
• Unable to handle pointer equality, which can lead to inconsistent object graphs
• Difficulty cloning self-referencing structures

Recommended Approach

For optimal cloning performance and to overcome these limitations, it is recommended to implement custom cloning logic within the specific type or its package. This allows for targeted handling of data duplication, including pointer equality and self-referencing structures. The custom approach may involve maintaining a "copy-by-value" type or providing a dedicated Clone() method within the type itself.

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