Say it like this
- Run a benchmark to see the results
- The benchmark shows our code is 30% faster
- We need to set a benchmark before optimization
Use it at work
Testing performance
- Let's benchmark the new query before we ship it.
- I ran a benchmark: the new version is 30% faster.
Comparing
- How do we benchmark against our competitors?
- Our page load time is below the industry benchmark.
Being careful
- That benchmark used fake data, so let's test with real traffic.
- Can you share the benchmark setup so I can rerun it?
Don't say this
Benchmark tests performance and speed, not whether code works. Use test or verify for that.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your team optimized a critical function. What do you say next?
2. We should _______ the new caching layer before deploying to production.
3. Which sentence uses benchmark incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: We need to test how fast the new search feature is compared to the old one.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Run a benchmark to see the results"
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More about benchmark
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"I benchmarked the API endpoint and it handles about 5,000 requests per second."
- in a code review
"Did you benchmark this new sorting algorithm against the previous implementation?"
- in a team meeting
"Our latest optimization improved the benchmark results by 40% compared to last quarter."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse benchmark with a benchmark number (a specific measurement). Benchmark is the process of testing or comparing, not just the result.
- ✕This is a benchmark code.✓This is the benchmark result or This is the code we're benchmarking.
Benchmark is the test or measurement, not the code itself.
- ✕Let us benchmark this later.✓Let's run a benchmark before we deploy.
Benchmarking should happen before production deployment to catch performance issues early.
Other forms(4)
- benchmark noun
"The benchmark shows that our response time improved by 2 milliseconds."
- benchmark verb
"We will benchmark the new database engine against the old one."
- benchmarked verb past tense
"I benchmarked three different libraries to find the fastest one."
- benchmarking noun
"Benchmarking is an essential part of performance optimization."
Often used with(5)
- run a benchmark · To execute a performance test; most common phrasing
- benchmark results · The data or numbers produced by a benchmark test
- benchmark against · To compare performance using something as a reference standard
- set a benchmark · To establish a reference point or standard for comparison
- performance benchmark · A test specifically measuring how fast or efficient something is
Similar words(3)
- test · Broader term; benchmark is a specific type of performance test
- measure · Similar but less specific; benchmark includes comparison to a standard
- profiling · Similar in software context; profiling analyzes resource usage while benchmarking focuses on speed/throughput
Questions(5)
- What does benchmark mean in software engineering?
- Benchmark is a test that measures the performance, speed, or efficiency of code or a system. It provides a reference point to compare against previous versions or alternative solutions. For example, benchmarking a database query tells you how many requests per second it can handle.
- How do you use benchmark in a sentence at work?
- You can use it as a noun: We ran a benchmark on the API and it processed 10,000 requests per second. Or as a verb: Let us benchmark this algorithm against the old implementation before we merge it. Common phrases include run a benchmark, benchmark against, and benchmark results.
- Is benchmark formal or informal?
- Benchmark is neutral in formality. It is used in both casual team conversations (Let us benchmark this) and formal technical documentation (Performance benchmarking results indicate...). It is professional but not stiff.
- When should you benchmark code?
- You should benchmark code before deploying to production, when comparing different implementations or libraries, when optimizing critical functions, and regularly to track performance over time. Benchmarking early and often helps catch performance regressions before users experience them.
- What is the difference between testing and benchmarking?
- Testing checks if code works correctly (does it return the right answer?). Benchmarking measures how well it performs (how fast or efficient is it?). You need both: tests ensure correctness, benchmarks ensure speed and efficiency.
