Why are sealed types faster?

Question

Why are sealed types faster?

I am wondering about the deeper details about why this is true.

Answer 1

At the lowest level, the compiler can make a micro-optimization when you have sealed classes.

If you're calling a method on a sealed class, and the type is declared at compile time to be that sealed class, the compiler can implement the method call (in most cases) using the call IL instruction instead of the callvirt IL instruction. This is because the method target can not be overridden. Call eliminates a null check and does a faster vtable lookup than callvirt, since it doesn't have to check virtual tables.

This can be a very, very slight improvement to performance.

That being said, I would completely ignore that when deciding whether to seal a class. Marking a type sealed really should be a design decision, not a performance decision. Do you want people (including yourself) to potentially subclass from your class, now or in the future? If so, do not seal. If not, seal. That really should be the deciding factor.

Answer 2

Essentially, it's got to do with the fact that they don't need to have to worry about extensions to a virtual function table; the sealed types can't be extended, and therefore, the runtime doesn't need to be concerned about how they may be polymorphic.