Use calldata instead of memory for function parameters
In some cases, having function arguments in calldata instead of
memory is more optimal.
Consider the following generic example:
contract C {
function add(uint[] memory arr) external returns (uint sum) {
uint length = arr.length;
for (uint i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
sum += arr[i];
}
}
}
In the above example, the dynamic array arr has the storage location
memory. When the function gets called externally, the array values are
kept in calldata and copied to memory during ABI decoding (using the
opcode calldataload and mstore). And during the for loop, arr[i]
accesses the value in memory using a mload. However, for the above
example this is inefficient. Consider the following snippet instead:
contract C {
function add(uint[] calldata arr) external returns (uint sum) {
uint length = arr.length;
for (uint i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
sum += arr[i];
}
}
}
In the above snippet, instead of going via memory, the value is directly
read from calldata using calldataload. That is, there are no
intermediate memory operations that carries this value.
Gas savings: In the former example, the ABI decoding begins with
copying value from calldata to memory in a for loop. Each iteration
would cost at least 60 gas. In the latter example, this can be
completely avoided. This will also reduce the number of instructions and
therefore reduces the deploy time cost of the contract.
In short, use calldata instead of memory if the function argument
is only read.
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Vulnerability details
Use
calldata
instead ofmemory
for function parametersIn some cases, having function arguments in
calldata
instead ofmemory
is more optimal.Consider the following generic example:
In the above example, the dynamic array
arr
has the storage locationmemory
. When the function gets called externally, the array values are kept incalldata
and copied tomemory
during ABI decoding (using the opcodecalldataload
andmstore
). And during the for loop,arr[i]
accesses the value in memory using amload
. However, for the above example this is inefficient. Consider the following snippet instead:In the above snippet, instead of going via memory, the value is directly read from
calldata
usingcalldataload
. That is, there are no intermediate memory operations that carries this value.Gas savings: In the former example, the ABI decoding begins with copying value from
calldata
tomemory
in a for loop. Each iteration would cost at least 60 gas. In the latter example, this can be completely avoided. This will also reduce the number of instructions and therefore reduces the deploy time cost of the contract.In short, use
calldata
instead ofmemory
if the function argument is only read.Examples