Type-Based Gradual Typing Performance Optimization

Explore a cutting-edge approach to optimizing gradual typing performance in this 18-minute conference talk from POPL 2024. Delve into the concept of discriminative typing, a novel technique that combats runtime overhead in gradually typed languages without altering their core implementations. Learn how this method optimistically infers types for functions, creating optimized versions while preserving safety through unoptimized backups. Discover the impressive performance improvements achieved in Reticulated Python and Grift, with many programs seeing speedups of 4x or more. Gain insights into how discriminative typing significantly reduces gradual typing overhead across various mixed type configurations, potentially revolutionizing the balance between static and dynamic typing in programming languages.