What is cold versus hot code splitting?
PICTURE THIS: RAG CHATBOT
Simple meaning
Place rare paths out of line so hot paths stay compact in I-cache.
WHY — Performance instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about Performance:
contrast on Performance, not two memorised paragraphs.
the developer, then one case where picking wrong hurts.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1Place rare paths out
of line so hot paths stay compact in I-cache.
- 2Why it exists
Compilers and attributes help.
- 3How it works
Profile first.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
Place rare paths out of line so hot paths stay compact in I-cache. Compilers and attributes help.