title: Trivial ways to improve application performance
body: <p>Basically I am interested to know how far you go, to ensure your users get the best application.</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Which one to prefer dynamic/static memory allocation, when both are possible.</li>
  <li>Scraping <code>int</code> and using <code>short</code> or <code>int8_t</code>. Will it really help? Or it would be more of a headache?</li>
  <li>Allocating a "proportionally" large amount of memory dynamically (due to lack of info on actual memory required). And then reallocating it to smaller memory (compact) and deleting the former. Eg. I allocate 1000 units of memory. Then after calculating, I determine that only 400 units are required. So I allocate new 400 units, copy the 400 items and then delete 1000 units. In this process i end up allocating even more memory i.e 1400 units at some time. So should I actually take pains to allocate new 400 units and let 600 units waste? <strong>[main question]</strong></li>
  <li>Any effective use of <code>union</code> to help lower memory usage?</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>I am sure there are more important points missing. Any other known or indigenous way to increase memory and time performance are welcome.</p>