> It's fun to nerd out about memory allocators, but that's not contributing to overall improvements of software engineering as a craft which is still too much a

> It's fun to nerd out about memory allocators, but that's not contributing to overall improvements of software engineering as a craft which is still too much ad hoc hacking and hoping for the best. I'm sorry, but it is. Understanding memory layout and (sometimes) using custom allocators can improve performance in ways that no compiler cannot do automatically. And when used correctly they contribute to code correctness too. This is the reason they are used in projects like Chromium. Regarding your car analogy, you have to remember that developers here are not driving the car: they're building the car. Understanding the differences between and ICE engine and an electric motor are very salient to designing a good car.