[j_w]

Of course it's true in the case of sqlite. It's one of the most used pieces of software ever, and user cpu time spent is going to dwarf any developer time.

Your example should instead be:

- 5 hours of developer time to run in 4 seconds * n

- 5 minutes of developer time to run in 5 seconds * n

As long as n <= 17,700, then the developer time is "not worthwhile." This assumes that you value user time as much as developer time.

In the case of sqlite, the user time may as well be infinite for determining that side of the equation. It's just that widely used.

[astrobe_]

Also battery life. 20% less time, 20% more battery.

But OP is correct, companies don't care as long as it doesn't translate into higher sales (or lower sales because the competitor does better). That's why you see that sort of optimization mainly in FOSS projects, which are not PDD (profits-driven development).