Performance and Caching

This feature optimizes conversion performance by caching previously computed results and offering configurable caching parameters to reduce redundant computations.

Overview

The Performance & Caching feature is designed to improve the responsiveness of the control by caching the results of number-to-word conversions. Developers can enable caching using the EnableCaching property and control the cache size with the MaxCacheSize property. This approach minimizes redundant computations for repeated conversions, thereby enhancing overall application performance.

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Key Points

Key Point	Description
Caching toggle	The EnableCaching property allows developers to switch caching on or off based on their application's performance needs.
Configurable cache size	The MaxCacheSize property defines the maximum number of cached conversions, helping to manage memory usage efficiently.
Performance optimization	Caching reduces redundant computations for repeated number conversions, leading to a faster and more responsive UI experience.
Automatic cache clearing	Disabling caching automatically clears the current cache, ensuring outdated or irrelevant data is removed.

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Best Practices

Best Practice	Description
Enable caching for frequently used values	Activate EnableCaching when conversions are expected to be repeated, such as in data-heavy applications or real-time UI updates.
Set an appropriate cache size	Configure MaxCacheSize based on expected application usage to balance performance benefits with memory consumption.
Monitor cache performance	Regularly review the cache behavior, especially in high-load scenarios, to adjust settings for optimal performance.
Clear cache when necessary	If the underlying conversion logic or formatting settings change, consider disabling caching temporarily to force recalculation.

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Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Description
Over-reliance on caching	Depending too heavily on caching without monitoring can lead to stale data if underlying conversion logic changes.
Setting cache size too low or too high	An improperly sized cache may either lead to frequent cache misses or excessive memory consumption.
Disabling cache without proper clearance	Failing to clear the cache when disabling caching can result in memory leaks or unexpected behavior.
Not testing cache performance under load	Without stress testing, the caching mechanism may not perform as expected under heavy usage scenarios.

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Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description
Real-time conversion in data entry screens	Caching improves performance when users input numbers rapidly, as repeated conversions are retrieved from the cache.
Batch processing in background tasks	During bulk conversions, caching prevents redundant computations for recurring numbers, saving processing time.
Applications with static or rarely changing numbers	When numbers change infrequently, caching minimizes the need for recalculation, improving overall system responsiveness.

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Real Life Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description
Financial reporting	Repeated conversion of common figures (e.g., recurring monetary amounts) is optimized using caching to accelerate report generation.
Inventory management	In systems that display large lists of items with repeated numeric values, caching speeds up the display and lookup processes.
Educational tools	Applications that convert a range of numbers for instructional purposes benefit from caching by reducing conversion delays.

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Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Possible Cause	Recommended Action
Cache not updating after configuration changes	The cache may still hold outdated conversion results even after changing properties like formatting options.	Disable caching temporarily or clear the cache to force recalculation with updated settings.
Unexpected memory consumption	The cache size might be set too high, causing unnecessary memory usage.	Adjust the MaxCacheSize property to an optimal value based on the application's performance needs.
Repeated cache misses	Caching might be disabled or not properly enabled in high-frequency conversion scenarios.	Verify that EnableCaching is true and that cache size is sufficient to store frequently requested conversions.

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Code Examples

Example 1: Enabling Caching and Setting Cache Size

using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

// Create an instance of the control
var humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerLong();

// Enable caching to optimize performance
humanizer.EnableCaching = true;

// Set the maximum cache size to 500 entries
humanizer.MaxCacheSize = 500;

// Set a numeric value to convert
humanizer.Value = 12345;

// Retrieve and display the converted words
Console.WriteLine("Converted Words: " + humanizer.Words);

Example 2: Disabling Caching to Force Recalculation

using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

// Create an instance of the control
var humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerLong();

// Enable caching initially
humanizer.EnableCaching = true;
humanizer.Value = 9876;
Console.WriteLine("Converted Words with caching: " + humanizer.Words);

// Disable caching (this clears the cache) to force fresh conversion
humanizer.EnableCaching = false;
humanizer.Value = 9876;
Console.WriteLine("Converted Words without caching: " + humanizer.Words);

Example 3: Performance Testing with High Frequency Conversions

using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

public class PerformanceTest
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        var humanizer = new SiticoneHumanizerLong
        {
            EnableCaching = true,
            MaxCacheSize = 1000
        };

        Stopwatch stopwatch = new Stopwatch();
        stopwatch.Start();

        // Simulate high-frequency conversions
        for (int i = 0; i < 10000; i++)
        {
            humanizer.Value = i;
            // Optionally retrieve humanizer.Words to simulate UI binding or further processing
            var words = humanizer.Words;
        }

        stopwatch.Stop();
        Console.WriteLine($"High frequency conversion completed in {stopwatch.ElapsedMilliseconds} ms");
    }
}

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Review

Aspect	Review Comments
Performance improvement	Caching significantly reduces processing time for repeated conversions, making the control more responsive.
Flexibility	With configurable caching options, developers can balance performance gains against memory usage based on application needs.
Ease of integration	The caching mechanism is seamlessly integrated with the core conversion logic and requires minimal configuration.

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Summary

Summary Statement	Description
Performance & Caching optimizes conversion operations by storing repeated results	This feature enhances the responsiveness of the control by caching conversion results, allowing for faster repeated conversions and reduced computational overhead.

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Additional Useful Sections

Integration Checklist

Checklist Item	Status/Notes
Enable caching	Set EnableCaching to true if repeated conversions are expected.
Configure cache size	Set MaxCacheSize to an optimal value based on expected application load and available memory.
Monitor cache performance	Regularly review the performance impact and memory usage of caching under real-world conditions.
Clear cache after configuration changes	Disable caching temporarily or clear the cache when altering formatting or conversion settings to avoid stale data.

FAQ

Question	Answer
How do I enable caching for the conversion results?	Set the EnableCaching property to true to activate caching of conversion results.
What is the purpose of the MaxCacheSize property?	The MaxCacheSize property determines the maximum number of entries that can be stored in the cache to manage memory usage.
Can I change the cache settings on the fly?	Yes, adjusting EnableCaching and MaxCacheSize at runtime will affect caching behavior immediately, including cache clearing when disabled.
How can I troubleshoot performance issues related to caching?	Check if caching is enabled, verify that the cache size is configured correctly, and ensure that cached data is not outdated.

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This comprehensive documentation for the Performance & Caching feature provides detailed guidance for developers to integrate and optimize the control's performance by leveraging caching capabilities, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience in their .NET WinForms applications.