[REBOL] Re: probe/dump-binary survey
From: greggirwin:mindspring at: 3-May-2004 15:23
Hi Anton, Andreas, et al
AR> I'd like probe to remain the simple function
AR> that it is. Something beautiful about it.
I agree that simple is beautiful; if we can simplify all the code
that uses this functionality, even at the expense of a little added
complexity inside, that's a gain IMO. Of course, it's all a balancing
act to find out what we think will be best.
So, here's PROBE today:
probe: func [
{Prints a molded, unevaluated value and returns the same value.}
value
][
print mold :value :value
]
And here's what it might look like with a /dump refinement:
probe: func [
{Prints a molded, unevaluated value and returns the same value.}
value
/dump "Display data in non-molded format"
/local fn
][
either not dump [print mold :value][
fn: switch/default type?/word :value [
object! [
either attempt ['face = value/type] [:dump-face] [:dump-obj]
]
binary! [:dump-bin]
;function! [:dump-func]
;bitset! [:dump-bitset]
][:probe]
]
fn :value
:value
]
The complexity jump is quite large. :(
Any other candidate host functions that map to this functionality?
GI> What about a refinement on PROBE that makes it produce DUMPed
GI> output?
AB> no problem with that ;) however i don't how the refinement would
AB> produce a benefit compared to adding just another function (named
AB> dump, for example :)
Ahhh, this is a really good question, which came up during the
development of the ROUND function for View 1.3. Should it be separate
functions for each type of rounding, or a single function with
refinements? In the end, we went with the latter because the function
itself gives you context.
* If you type HELP ROUND, you instantly see all the options
in one place
* It's a way to group things
* It means less to learn because once they find PROBE they've
already found DUMP
* You don't have to add extra docs in each one saying how they
differ, you just doc the refinement that tells how it changes
the behavior.
I'm not trying to defend the idea here, just rambling. It's not always
appropriate, and it can be misused of course, but I think there's a
lot of leverage to be applied with refinements. They do make it much
more important that you choose your words well and wisely though.
-- Gregg
