Frax Ether Liquid Staking contest - SnowMan's results

1. Using storage instead of memory for struct/array saves gas

When fetching data from a storage location, assigning the data to a memory variable causes all fields of the struct/array to be read from storage, which incurs a Gcoldsload (2100 gas) for each field of the struct/array. If the fields are read from the new memory variable, they incur an additional MLOAD rather than a cheap stack read. Instead of declearing the variable with the memory keyword, declaring the variable with the storage keyword and caching any fields that need to be re-read in stack variables, will be much cheaper, only incuring the Gcoldsload for the fields actually read. The only time it makes sense to read the whole struct/array into a memory variable, is if the full struct/array is being returned by the function, is being passed to a function that requires memory, or if the array/struct is being read from another memory array/struct

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L71 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L72 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L108 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L140 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L161

2. Storage variables should be declared immutable when possible

If a storage variable is assigned only in the constructor, it should be declared as immutable. This would help to reduce gas costs as calls to immutable variables are much cheaper than regular state variables.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L38

3. Using cache to contain "array.length"

-storage arrays incur a Gwarmaccess (100 gas) -memory arrays use MLOAD (3 gas) -calldata arrays use CALLDATALOAD (3 gas)

Caching the length of the array changes it to a DUP<N> (3 gas), and gets rid of the extra DUP<N> needed to store the stack offset:

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L100 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L114 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/ERC20/ERC20PermitPermissionedMint.sol#L84

4. Multiple accesses of a mapping/array should use a local variable cache

The instances below point to the second+ access of a value inside a mapping/array, within a function. Caching a mapping's value in a local storage variable when the value is accessed multiple times, saves ~42 gas per access due to not having to recalculate the key's keccak256 hash (Gkeccak256 - 30 gas) and that calculation's associated stack operations. Caching an array's struct avoids recalculating the array offsets into memory.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L140 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L151 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L75-L76

5. Using calldata instead of memory for read-only arguments in external functions

When a function with a memory array is called externally, the abi.decode() step has to use a for-loop to copy each index of the calldata to the memoryindex. Each iteration of this for-loop costs at least 60 gas (i.e. 60 * <mem_array>.length). Using calldata directly, obliviates the need for such a loop in the contract code and runtime execution. Structs have the same overhead as an array of length one

When arguments are read-only on external functions, the data location should be calldata: https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L171-L175 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L181

6. It costs more gas to initialize variables with their default value than letting the default value be applied

If a variable is not set/initialized, it is assumed to have the default value (0 for uint, false for bool, address(0) for address). Explicitly initializing it with its default value is an anti-pattern and wastes gas.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L94 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L129 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L63 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L84 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L114 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/ERC20/ERC20PermitPermissionedMint.sol#L84

7. For-Loops: Index increments can be left unchecked

From Solidity v0.8 onwards, all arithmetic operations come with implicit overflow and underflow checks. In for-loops, as it is impossible for the index to overflow, it can be left unchecked to save gas every iteration.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L63 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L84 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L114 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L129 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/ERC20/ERC20PermitPermissionedMint.sol#L84

8. "x = x + y" and "x = x - y" costs less gas than "x+=y" and "x-=y".

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L97 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L168

9. Arithmetics: Unchecking arithmetic operations that cannot underflow/overflow

From Solidity v0.8 onwards, all arithmetic operations come with implicit overflow and underflow checks. In some instances, an overflow/underflow is impossible, such as:

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L97 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L168 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L125 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L100 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L140

10. ">=" and "<=" costs less gas than ">" and "<"

This action saves 3 gas: Add one to the amount and use ">=" instead of ">". (if it's ">") Subtract one out of the amount and use "<=" instead of "<". (if it's "<")

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L79 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L126

11. Functions guaranteed to revert when called by normal users can be marked payable

If a function modifier such as onlyPartyDao is used, the function will revert if a normal user tries to pay the function. Marking the function as payable will lower the gas cost for legitimate callers because the compiler will not include checks for whether a payment was provided.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L159-L203 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L53-L89 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L181-L206 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/ERC20/ERC20PermitPermissionedMint.sol#L53-L98

12. Cache storage values in memory to minimize sloads.

The code can be optimized by minimising the number of SLOADs. SLOADs are expensive 100 gas compared to MLOADs/MSTOREs(3gas) Storage value should get cached in memory

DEPOSIT_SIZE should be cached: https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L125 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L143

RATIO_PRECISION should be cached: https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L96

withholdRatio should be cached: https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L95-L96

currentWithheldETH should be cached: https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L97 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L125 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L167-L168

13. Visibility: Consider declaring constants as non-public to save gas

If a constant is not used outside of its contract, declaring it as private or internal instead of public can save gas.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L38-L39

14. Using bools for storage incurs overhead

// Booleans are more expensive than uint256 or any type that takes up a full // word because each write operation emits an extra SLOAD to first read the // slot's contents, replace the bits taken up by the boolean, and then write // back. This is the compiler's defense against contract upgrades and // pointer aliasing, and it cannot be disabled.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L49-L50

15. internal functions only called once can be inlined to save gas

Not inlining costs 20 to 40 gas because of two extra JUMP instructions and additional stack operations needed for function calls.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/sfrxETH.sol#L48 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L126

16. Visibility: public functions can be set to external

Calls to external functions are cheaper than public functions. Thus, if a function is not used internally in any contract, it should be set to external to save gas and improve code readability.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/sfrxETH.sol#L54 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/main/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L53-L82 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/OperatorRegistry.sol#L197

17. Not using the named return variables, when a function returns, wastes deployment gas.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/frxETHMinter.sol#L70 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/sfrxETH.sol#L59 https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/sfrxETH.sol#L75

18. Arithmetics: ++i costs less gas compared to i++ or i += 1

++i costs less gas compared to i++ or i += 1 for unsigned integers, as pre-increment is cheaper (about 5 gas per iteration). This statement is true even with the optimizer enabled.

https://github.com/code-423n4/2022-09-frax/blob/55ea6b1ef3857a277e2f47d42029bc0f3d6f9173/src/ERC20/ERC20PermitPermissionedMint.sol#L84