Which programming style is better? from an optimization perspective
<p>Having a large integer 32/64bit, I'm modifying several bit positions.</p>

<p>Style 1</p>

<pre><code>Integer64 = Modify(Integer64);
</code></pre>

<p>Style 2</p>

<pre><code>Modify(Integer64);
</code></pre>

<p>Style 3</p>

<pre><code>Using the same style as the 1st, but inline function
</code></pre>

<ul>
<li>1st) returns a 64bit modified
value</li>
<li>2nd) a backup buffer is
created and the original value is
copied, too. the calculations are then
stored into the original input values
place</li>
<li>3rd) Modify is an inline
function.</li>
</ul>

<p>I also believe Style 2 is more descriptive to that particular step in the code.</p>

<p>Which is the best style to use from an execution perspective?</p>
