Micro-Optimization
Noun · Hacker Culture
Definitions
A very small, localized performance improvement that saves tiny amounts of time, memory, or compute, often at the cost of readability or maintainability. Engineers usually discuss micro-optimizations in the context of whether the measured gain justifies the complexity.
In plain English: A tiny performance tweak that may matter less than the added complexity.
Example: "Inlining that helper was a micro-optimization that made the code harder to understand for no meaningful win."