[REBOL] A question of function interface design
From: pwawood:mango:my at: 19-Jan-2005 19:17
I have started to question whether it is best to use Rebol's automatic type
checking of parameters or not when designing functions.
If the type checking is used, calling a function with an incorrect type of
value causes a script error, eg:
>> a: func [b [date!]] [print b]
>> a 12345
** Script Error: a expected b argument of type: date
** Near: a 12345
However, if you don't use the built-in type checking, you can return a none!
value and give the caller the option (and responsibility) to deal with the
situation, eg:
>> a: func [b] [if type? b <> date! [return none]]
>> a 12345
== none
Given that Rebol is not strongly typed, is the second of these "idioms" the
more appropriate?
Regards
Peter
