[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: `-' and zero arguments
From: |
Dirk Herrmann |
Subject: |
Re: `-' and zero arguments |
Date: |
Tue, 8 May 2001 11:12:05 +0200 (MEST) |
On 6 May 2001, Marius Vollmer wrote:
> I fixed this by making SCM_WTA_DISPATCH_0 signal a `wrong num args'
> error when the generic function hasn't been initialized yet. I think
> this is the right thing to do.
>
> What I'm not sure about is: should we allow generic functions or
> methods with zero arguments? Is that useful? You can have exactly
> one method for the zero argument case.
(Not being a goops user (yet), I risk to talk complete rubbish below.
Take this as a chance to laugh at me :-)
It's not usefull, right. But, does it do any harm? To me it seems
that the only aspects where it _might_ be harmfull are
* performance for the case of a call with zero arguments. But, I don't
know whether the alternative, i. e. checking for this situation and
handling it as a special case wouldn't slow down the (probably) more
common situation of calls with at least one parameter?
* undetected errors. Adding a second function with zero arguments will
overwrite the first. But, this is not a bug but a feature, right?
Best regards,
Dirk Herrmann