Worked on optimizing BPF map iteration in the bpftrace repository by refactoring the retrieval of the first map element. The approach involved removing the custom find_empty_key function and leveraging the kernel-provided NULL key with BPF_MAP_GET_NEXT_KEY, which streamlined the code and improved compatibility with Linux kernels version 4.12 and above. This change reduced the maintenance burden and eliminated kernel-specific edge-case handling, providing a clearer upgrade path for users. The work was implemented in C++ and focused on system programming and kernel development, reflecting a targeted and maintainable solution to enhance bpftrace’s integration with evolving kernel APIs.