Both methods essentially perform the same function at the core API level, which involves retrieving the cursor and transforming the results. However, there is a key difference in terms of performance:
.forEach()
processes the cursor results one by one, executing the provided iterator function for each.
.fetch()
, on the other hand, retrieves the entire "array" from the cursor all at once, storing it all in memory in a single operation.
Ultimately, neither method is inherently "faster" at the core operation of fetching data from the cursor. However, not having to evaluate an expression for each iteration of the cursor may give a slight edge to .fetch()
.
It is important to note that with .fetch()
, all data is now stored in memory, which comes with its own set of considerations. Additionally, at the time of executing .fetch()
, the processing done with _.each()
is yet to occur, leading to the possibility of "gaining" in one area but potentially "losing" in another.
While general benchmarking may suggest similar timings in most cases, it is crucial to conduct specific benchmarking tailored to the size of the datasets being handled in order to draw accurate conclusions.
In general, the outcome often leans towards being "about the same". However, opting for .fetch()
may result in a higher consumption of memory compared to simply iterating through the cursor from the beginning.