I often use prepend, append, sprintf to transform my messages.

I am wondering if there are an advantages to using prepend over a message object. Let's say "prepend scale" versus a message object saying "scale $1".

Also, almost every objects have inlets that lets you change how data coming in from the left most inlet is transformed. How come prepend and append don't? I often need to send a message through "prepend set" so I can change what will be prepended/appended to my other message. This is getting messy.

At this point the pack/pak objects do a similar job. There are probably a bunch of other ways to achieve similar results and I know in a small patch it doesn't really matter... but what about a larger scale project? I like to standardize the way I work so it's easier to read afterward and If I'm going to stick to a method to prepend or append elements to a list, I might as well adopt the most efficient way of doing it.

How do you do it? Do you have other "tricks" that could help me? Is there any resource on that topic?

patch-optimisation-prepend-messages-sprintf-that-kind-of-stuff

I liked this thread, I wonder if you'd find it helpful :

https://cycling74.com/forums/object-test-3-pairing-a-dynamic-and-static-value-pack-pak-or-append

I'd be curious to learn how a message of "scale $1" compares to sending $1 through [prepend scale]

I liked this thread, I wonder if you'd find it helpful :
https://cycling74.com/forums/object-test-3-pairing-a-dynamic-and-static-value-pack-pak-or-append
I'd be curious to learn how a message of "scale $1" compares to sending $1 through [prepend scale]
Thanks!

in theory a messagebox is slower. but what is more important is that it is not the same anyway. 

you cant replace "scale $1 dim $3 $2" with prepend, and you can also not replace a [prepend] which is been loadbanged with "set scale" using a messagebox.


in theory a messagebox is slower. but what is more important is that it is not the same anyway. 

you cant replace "scale $1 dim $3 $2" with prepend, and you can also not replace a [prepend] which is been loadbanged with "set scale" using a messagebox.

Thank you Brent. This is cool but it's also almost 6 years too late. I don't really use Max anymore. I solved my optimization issues by switching to TouchDesigner. I find pulling data a far more efficient approach for creative coding. Roman, I remember chatting with you years ago somewhere and checking out your modular project. It's quite impressive. I hope you're well.

Patch optimisation, Prepend, Messages, Sprintf, that kind of stuff.