C# Compiler Optimizations

Question

I\'m wondering if someone can explain to me what exactly the compiler might be doing for me to observe such extreme differences in performance for a simple method.

Answer 1

To get a good understanding, you should look at the IL code generated.

Compile the assembly, then make a copy of it and compile again with the optimizations. Then open both assemblies in .net reflector and compare the difference of the compiled IL.

Update: Dotnet Reflector is available at http://www.red-gate.com/products/dotnet-development/reflector/

Update 2: IlSpy seems like a good open source alternative. http://ilspy.net/

Open Source Alternatives to Reflector?