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Coding & systems
Memory Optimization
Allocators, layout, cache behaviour
Overview
About memory optimization questions in quant interviews
Custom allocators, object pools, data layout, and the memory-model questions low-latency desks use to test whether you understand what the hardware actually does.
How to study this topic
A path that works
- 1
Start with the easy set
Warm up with the 8 easy memory optimization questions. Quick wins build pattern recognition before complexity ramps.
- 2
Drill the medium tier next
13 medium questions sit in the sweet spot where most interview questions cluster. Time yourself, then redo any you missed two days later.
- 3
Stress-test on hard problems
15 hard questions simulate the on-site round. Skip looking at solutions for at least 20 minutes, then write up your approach.
The library
All 36 memory optimization questions
easyFree-List Memory PooleasyStruct Layout InspectoreasyBinary Header CasteasyLegacy Resource ManagementeasyStack-Allocated Fixed ArrayeasyPlacement New in BuffereasyFixed Capacity Stack StringeasyShared Pointer BasicsmediumCache-Aligned Atomic CountersmediumMemory-Mapped File AllocatormediumNUMA-Node-Pinned Buffer Allocation (Portable Simulation)mediumLow Latency Memory WarmupmediumAligned Memory Allocator for AVX-512mediumWeak Pointer CachemediumCache-Line Aligned Market Data StructmediumRAII Scope Exit Cleanup GuardmediumPMR Pool AllocatormediumHuge Page AllocatormediumImplementing Move SemanticsmediumCustom STL AllocatormediumLinear Memory ArenahardGC-Free Object Graph via Region AllocatorhardSmall Vector OptimizationhardZero-Copy FlatBuffer Order Parsing via reinterpret_casthardReference-Counted Object PoolhardStatic Polymorphism with CRTPhardIntrusive Smart PointerhardSmall String Optimization (SSO)hardVirtual Address Space Warmup (Portable Pre-fault Simulation)hardThread-Local Arena Allocator (jemalloc Arena Pattern)hardFixed-Size Slab Allocator (PMR)hardLow-Latency Tagged UnionhardType-Erased SBO Callable (std::function Replacement)hardChained PMR ResourceshardFlyweight Symbol Poolvery hardCompacting Memory Allocator
View all 36 memory optimization questionsRelated topics