Speed Optimizations

[t-barnard]

Description

Most of the changes in this section involve updating function declarations to call parameters by reference instead of value. This greatly speeds up the program, because it is making less copies of large data objects. Specifically, the "grid" object is used in a lot of functions and was taking a lot of time when passed by value.

Addresses # (issue) These changes increase program speed at runtime.

Type of change

• Bug fix (non-breaking change that fixes an issue)

How Has This Been Tested?

These changes have been tested on multiple computers and do not seem to affect the program aside from increasing the speed.

Test configuration

• Operating system: [e.g., Hal]
• Compiler, version number: [e.g., Python 3.X, gcc version X.X]
• Any details about your local setup that are relevant

[abukowski21]

Looks good to me! Checked outputs and indeed they do not change.

I'm going to assign this to Aaron R & he can give a final blessing