How does Ruby optimize method dispatch using call site specialization?
Updated May 17, 2026
Short answer
Ruby specializes method calls at each call site based on observed receiver types.
Deep explanation
Call site specialization means each method call location stores metadata about previously seen receiver classes. If future calls match, Ruby bypasses full lookup and directly dispatches cached method references. When types diverge, the site becomes polymorphic or megamorphic, degrading optimization. This is a key bridge between interpreter and JIT layers.
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