compareTo with primitives -> Integer / int

Question

Is it better to write

int primitive1 = 3, primitive2 = 4;
Integer a = new Integer(primitive1);
Integer b = new Integer(primitive2);
int compare = a.compareTo(b);

or

int primitive1 = 3, primitive2 = 4;
int compare = (primitive1 > primitive2) ? 1 : 0;
if(compare == 0){
    compare = (primitive1 == primitive2) ? 0 : -1;
}

I think the second one is better, should be faster and more memory optimized. But aren't they equal?

Answer 1

For performance, it usually best to make the code as simple and clear as possible and this will often perform well (as the JIT will optimise this code best). In your case, the simplest examples are also likely to be the fastest.

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I would do either

int cmp = a > b ? +1 : a < b ? -1 : 0;

or a longer version

int cmp;
if (a > b)
   cmp = +1;
else if (a < b)
   cmp = -1;
else
   cmp = 0;

or

int cmp = Integer.compare(a, b); // in Java 7
int cmp = Double.compare(a, b); // before Java 7

It's best not to create an object if you don't need to.

Performance wise, the first is best.

If you know for sure that you won't get an overflow you can use

int cmp = a - b; // if you know there wont be an overflow.

you won't get faster than this.