How is code efficiency defined?

Code efficiency is defined by how effectively a program uses resources. This encompasses multiple aspects of software performance, including not just speed, but also resource management such as memory usage, processing power, and energy consumption. An efficient program optimizes these resources to perform tasks in the least amount of time while minimizing the overhead associated with operations.

For instance, a program that uses less memory while still delivering the same performance can be considered more efficient than one that uses more memory. Similarly, a program that processes data quickly without consuming excessive CPU time or energy is also viewed as efficient. Thus, resource utilization is a broader and more comprehensive measure of efficiency, reflecting the overall impact of code on system performance.

While speed of execution and task completion are important, they do not capture the full picture of efficiency in resource management, which is critical to the design and functionality of software applications. The amount of code written is generally an indirect measure and does not necessarily indicate efficient code; sometimes more code is required to achieve better resource management or clearer logic.