Optimization: Comparing Signed with Unsigned

[Lugard]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to optimize an application and while I was working on that I stumbled upon a question that I can't really find an answer for.

I was wondering whether there was a performance penalty for comparing Signed variables against Unsigned variables, such as displayed below in this post.
I have a lot of memory to play with so increased memory usage is alright for me, so if there is a performance hit (even a nano second) then I'd rather exchange them with a bigger signed indentifier (I require the negative values).

hmm, this also creates the question as whether Signed or Unsigned variables are faster if used exclusively...

For example:

unsigned char variable_a = 5;
short variable_b = 5;
 
if(variable_a > variable_b) // < >= <= == whatever
{
     //bla
}
 

If anyone knowns I would love to hear :)

[weaknessforcats]

The larger issue is whether your data values can be negative. If so, you must use an int.

Otherwise, just use an unsigned int.

The comparison is irrelevant.

[Lugard]

edit: sorry, need to give this some thought (posted by accident, couldn't figure out how to remove)