From 1d768035dfbd433e99b07537650575e201190ac8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "codeflash-ai[bot]"
 <148906541+codeflash-ai[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:36:58 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Optimize list_clear
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The optimized code achieves a **5% runtime improvement** by eliminating redundant dictionary operations.

**Key optimization**: Instead of always creating a base dictionary and conditionally mutating it with `op_dict[CTX_KEY] = ctx`, the optimized version constructs the final dictionary directly in a single step based on whether `ctx` is provided.

**Why this is faster**:
1. **Reduced dictionary operations**: The original code performs 3-4 dictionary operations (create base dict + potentially assign CTX_KEY + return), while the optimized version performs 2-3 operations (create final dict + return)
2. **Eliminated mutation overhead**: Python dictionary item assignment (`op_dict[CTX_KEY] = ctx`) requires hash computation, collision resolution, and potential resizing checks. The optimized version avoids this by including all keys during initial construction
3. **Branch-specific construction**: By checking `if ctx:` first, the optimized code creates the exact dictionary needed—either 3 keys with ctx or 2 keys without—avoiding the intermediate 2-key dict that gets mutated in the original

**Performance benefits by test case**:
- **With context** (ctx provided): Shows 4-17% improvement in tests like `test_with_single_element_context` (17.5% faster) and `test_with_multiple_element_context` (10.1% faster). The savings come from avoiding the dictionary mutation operation entirely
- **Without context**: Shows 4-23% improvement in tests like `test_multiple_calls_are_independent` where `result2` is 23.4% faster. The common case (no ctx) benefits from direct construction
- **Large scale**: Tests with large context lists like `test_large_context_list` show 11.4% improvement, indicating the optimization scales well

**No behavioral changes**: The function still correctly handles all edge cases (None, empty list, tuples) by relying on Python's truthiness evaluation. The dictionary contents and structure remain identical to the original.
---
 aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py | 5 ++---
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)
 mode change 100755 => 100644 aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py

diff --git a/aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py b/aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 238929bd4a..5d946ffdf9
--- a/aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py
+++ b/aerospike_helpers/operations/list_operations.py
@@ -339,12 +339,11 @@ def list_clear(bin_name: str, ctx: Optional[list] = None):
         A dictionary usable in :meth:`~aerospike.Client.operate` and :meth:`~aerospike.Client.operate_ordered`. The
         format of the dictionary should be considered an internal detail, and subject to change.
     """
-    op_dict = {OP_KEY: aerospike.OP_LIST_CLEAR, BIN_KEY: bin_name}
 
     if ctx:
-        op_dict[CTX_KEY] = ctx
+        return {OP_KEY: aerospike.OP_LIST_CLEAR, BIN_KEY: bin_name, CTX_KEY: ctx}
 
-    return op_dict
+    return {OP_KEY: aerospike.OP_LIST_CLEAR, BIN_KEY: bin_name}
 
 
 def list_set(bin_name: str, index, value, policy: Optional[dict] = None, ctx: Optional[list] = None):