Parameters are important for any non trivial program, to help make it generic and data driven. Parameters are usually function arguments but can also be part of the configuration.
38
votes
9answers
5k views
Should I accept empty collections in my methods that iterate over them?
I have a method where all logic is performed inside a foreach loop that iterates over the method's parameter:
public IEnumerable<TransformedNode> TransformNodes(IEnumerable<Node> nodes)
{
...
30
votes
9answers
3k views
How to name a method that both performs a task and returns a boolean as a status?
If there is a method
bool DoStuff() {
try {
// doing stuff...
return true;
}
catch (SomeSpecificException ex) {
return false;
}
}
should it rather be called ...
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Why not annotate function parameters?
To make this question answerable, let's assume that the cost of ambiguity in the mind of a programmer is much more expensive then a few extra keystrokes.
Given that, why would I allow my teammates to ...
14
votes
7answers
2k views
Function only returns unchanged parameter, useless?
I just found this function in the project I'm working at:
-- Just returns the text unchanged.
-- Note: <text> may be nil, function must return nil in that case!
function Widget:wtr(text)
...
13
votes
3answers
627 views
What is the difference between ref and out in runtime?
C# provides the ref and the out keyword to make arguments to be passed by reference. The semantic of the two is very similar. The only difference is in the initialization of the flaged variable:
ref ...
12
votes
5answers
3k views
Multiple arguments in function call vs single array
I have a function that takes in a set of parameters, then applies to them as conditions to an SQL query. However, while I favored a single argument array containing the conditions themselves:
...
6
votes
6answers
371 views
Fields vs method arguments [closed]
I just started writing some new class and it occurred to me that I was adding a lot of method arguments that are not strictly needed. This is following a habit to avoid having state in classes that is ...
6
votes
3answers
202 views
Passing parameters that need to be copied by value or const reference
I have a basic (mathematical) vector class, which in my opinion benefits from C++'s operator overloading. Vector-scalar operations are defined as self-modifying functions in the class itself,
class ...
5
votes
8answers
1k views
Passing an object into a method which changes the object, is it a common (anti-) pattern?
I am reading about common code smells in Martin Fowler's Refactoring book. In that context, I was wondering about a pattern I am seeing in a code base, and wether one could objectively consider it an ...
4
votes
6answers
853 views
Is it bad practice to resolve null arguments to default static variables?
First, let me show you an example (written in ActionScript 3.0):
class GameObject {
public static function MakeFromName( pName:String,
pAtlas:TextureAtlas ...
4
votes
3answers
83 views
Sets of pair parameters
I have the following class, this class like many rely one parameters coming in as a pair.
Originally for convenience, I set them as params Object[] values and check if there is an even number of them ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
Should I use exceptions to control the range of parameters in Python?
For example for the following method signature:
def genClusters(n_clusters, n_nodes, cluster_distribution):
n_clusters should be an integer of more than 1.
n_nodes should be an integer of more ...
3
votes
3answers
631 views
Is it better to have constructors with or without parameters?
Is it better to have constructors with or without parameters and why?
public NewClass( String a, String b, int c) throws IOException
{
//something
}
OR
public NewClass()
{
//something
}
...
3
votes
4answers
307 views
Is a long list of parameter checks an anti-pattern?
Background: I'm working on an application that will manage backup generators. These generators need to be able to be "linked" together. For example, Generator B might serve as a backup for ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Strategies for parameter wrapping
Methods with many parameters are often sometimes unavoidable. In my own experience I often find this is the case for program entry points and complex mathematical procedures - where refactoring is ...
3
votes
3answers
424 views
Best OOP Practice in C#: Passing the object as parameter VS creating a new instance of the object
First things first, I would like to know if passing an object as parameter is much better than creating another object AGAIN in a class that will use it again and second what are the pros and cons of ...
3
votes
2answers
132 views
Inform caller or just let them deal with exception?
I'm not sure how to proceed in the following situation.
say we have a function as so:
def runsATask(codes):
myDicts = [helperFunc(code) for code in codes]
for item in myDicts:
# some ...
3
votes
2answers
329 views
Parameterized Java Types (Generics)
Consider this "legacy" code:
public interface IPersistentCollection {
IPersistentCollection cons(Object o);
}
Genericized in Java, it could become something like this:
public interface ...
3
votes
2answers
186 views
Should I throw guard exceptions that will be thrown by internal methods anyway? [duplicate]
I have some fairly simple code (C#):
/// <summary>
/// Truncates a string to a maximum length.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="value"> The string to truncate. ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
Ruby - when to use instance variables vs parameters between methods?
I'm writing several methods that call other methods.
To pass the information I have a couple of choices:
Pass the information as parameters
Set instance variables so that other methods can access ...
2
votes
3answers
105 views
Is there a name for the technique of converting method parameters into a unified form to simplify further processing? [closed]
When working with methods which accept a parameter in various forms (e.g. nil, a single string, a single string containing multiple data or an array of strings) I tend to unify them - splitting, ...
2
votes
2answers
118 views
Defensive copy in in the client class or in the service class?
I have one service method that receive parameters as a Map. I will need to add new attributes to this map inside the service. If I pass the original Map object to the parameter instead of a copy, the ...
2
votes
1answer
271 views
Best practices for refactoring parameter file structure in multiple environments
Background info and what I've tried
Within each of two mostly distinct environments, say 'Research' and 'Production', there is a need for a structured parameter file. The file contains things like ...
2
votes
3answers
153 views
What is the difference between a variable and a parameter? [closed]
Its a conceptual question. But I would like to use the right term at the right place. That is why I would like to read some other views on this.
1
vote
1answer
217 views
OOP best practice: Optional referenced-type paremeter
I know in C#, by default, referenced type variables are passed by reference to a method. I have a function which sometimes I just need its return value and sometimes both return value and the changes ...
1
vote
2answers
249 views
How to deliver 3 different parameters to class in one method (2 of 3 are optional)
I need your help how to implement it nice and well. It's quite a simple problem. I can solve it but I need help on how to do that better.
My class has logic working using three parameters. It gets ...
1
vote
3answers
205 views
Setting global parameters: is this a reasonable use of const_cast and volatile?
I have a program that I run repeatedly with various parameter sets. Different parameters are used in different parts of the program (including different source files). The same parameter may also be ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Replaceable parameter syntax meaning
Replaceable parameter syntax for the console object in C#.
I am taking the O'Reilly C# Course 1 and it is asking for a replaceable parameter syntax and it is not very clear on what that means. ...
1
vote
1answer
232 views
Should I omit the parameter “e” when using EventHandler<EventArgs>?
Whenever I am defining my own events, I use a pattern such as the following (which I believe is how the MSDN recommends doing it):
public class MyEventClass
{
private bool _value; // Backing ...
0
votes
3answers
141 views
Understanding the concept of “arguments” and “parameters” in C language as explained in K&R The C Programming Language
In the third last paragraph at page number 26 of the ebook "The C Programming Language" the author(s) say,
"We will generally use parameter for a variable named in the parenthesized list in a ...
0
votes
1answer
122 views
Method Parameters Ordering [closed]
I was recently changing a method to add in an additional parameter, and I couldn't help but wonder if there were "best practices" or "generally accepted rules" in deciding what order parameters of a ...
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Constructors, Ignore Arguments
Is it possible to have a constructor in a class, that you can ignore certain arguments/parameters?
For example, I have this constructor
Car(color, make, model, wheels, type, doors)
Could I call ...
0
votes
4answers
129 views
Understanding parameters
I have read this statement:
"A parameter is used as a sort of temporary messenger, carrying data originating from outside the constructor or method and making it available inside it."
So, does that ...
0
votes
2answers
130 views
Is there a way for Object 1 to call Object 2's enums in a function call?
For example, if I have two classes "Director" and "Follower". I want the Director to tell the follower where to go (ex: follower1.go(direction.LEFT)), and I want the Director to know what directions ...
0
votes
1answer
103 views
Good practice to pass this information through URL parameter
Basically, let's suppose an application that manage some user's meetings.
I have a filtering zone on a page that aims to specify the category of items I need to specifically return.
...
0
votes
1answer
517 views
How to encapsulate method parameters in Java?
An HTTP query can be parametrized to a list of pairs like name=value that can be encapsulated in general as Map<String, String> since an HTTP GET query is string pairs. I could need something ...
0
votes
1answer
215 views
Generic params table design
We have a generic parameter table whose important attributes are :
id number auto increment not null
domain varchar (200) not null
classification varchar (200) not null
param_name varchar (200) not ...
0
votes
2answers
269 views
Design Pattern: Algorithm varies according to the input arguments
I will give a simple example to help you understand my question. Suppose we have a rectangle and a Utility class with a method that creates a buffer arround a shape.
The .createBuffer method has ...
0
votes
2answers
173 views
Factory for arrays of objects in python
Ok, the title might be a little misleading.
I have a Window class that draws widgets inside itself in the constructor. The widgets are all of the same type.
So I pass a list of dictionaries, which ...
0
votes
1answer
130 views
Overloading to support multiple related types (especially pointers)
Problem
I was just trying to debug a set of file-manipulation routines I wrote for a program I am working on. One of them kept returning an INVALID_HANDLE error.
Explanation
I figured out what the ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
UML representation of type being passed as a parameter
I want to draw a UML diagram of my program. Class Barney has a method Yabadaba(Doo d) which takes a parameter of type Doo.
How do I represent that class Doo is used in class Barney in my UML diagram?
...
