"[Premature optimization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_optimization "wikipedia:Premature optimization")" is the practice of trying to optimize parts of a program before such optimization has been shown to be needed. [Donald Knuth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Knuth "Donald Knuth") made the following two statements on optimization: > "We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: **premature optimization is the root of all evil**. Yet we should not pass up our opportunities in that critical 3%"[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_optimization#cite_note-autogenerated268-5) > "In established engineering disciplines a 12% improvement, easily obtained, is never considered marginal and I believe the same viewpoint should prevail in software engineering"[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_optimization#cite_note-autogenerated268-5)