[arethuza]

I can remember doing some optimization in Java way back (~2001 or so) where doing this kind of thing actually made a huge difference due to locality of reference - basically allocating a huge byte array and working with that to implement an "inner" hash-table rather than the usual structure that used, at least back then.

[eropple]

Yup - I have a couple similar things in my graveyard of projects. ByteBuffers are a gross hack most of the time, but the perf is impressive when you absolutely, positively need it.