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[REBOL] [datatypes//conversion] CAST / COERCE / CHANGE-TYPE

From: greggirwin::mindspring::com at: 10-Aug-2004 11:21

Hi All, Request for suggestions and comments. cast: coerce: change-type: func [ "Coerce a value referenced by a word; i.e. in-place coercion" 'word 'type /local val ] [ val: get word set word either function? :type [do :type val] [ to either word? type [get type] [type] val ] ]
>> my-value: 100
== 100
>> coerce my-value decimal!
== 100.0
>> coerce my-value :to-string
== "100.0"
>> coerce my-value <x>
== <100.0> Any other name suggestions? CAST, seemed very programmerish to me at first, but the meaning "to make from a mold" is good, and I actually like it best at this point. It's nice and short. Examples: my-value: to-string my-value my-value: to string! my-value my-value: to "" my-value change-type my-value :to-string change-type my-value string! change-type my-value "" coerce my-value :to-string coerce my-value string! coerce my-value "" cast my-value :to-string cast my-value string! cast my-value "" CHANGE-TYPE seems the most explanatory, but it's also the longest. You actually lose ground on short var names with it (i.e. more typing) and I don't really like the way it reads. The two goals I see are: 1) don't repeat the word, and 2) make it read naturally so it's clear what you're doing. Thanks for any comments! -- Gregg