From: Eric Mahurin <eric_mahurin@...>
Date: 2005-06-01T22:16:55+09:00
Subject: Re: array of object insert polices


--- dave <dave.m@email.it> wrote:

> 
> 
> hy list,
> 
> if i have a class as:
> 
> class IntegerArrray < Array 
> end
> 
> should i check if user inserts non Integer values ?

If you are simply making a sub-class of Array, no.

> if yes how?

I think a valid reason for restricting what goes into the array
would be efficiency - runtime or memory.  In the case of
Fixnum, you only lose 1-bit - Fixnum is a 31-bit int using 32
bits of space.  If you want an array of homogenous numbers,
narray allows you to store various sizes of ints, floats, and
complex numbers.  I wouldn't mind having something that made a
homogenous array of whatever - mainly for memory efficiency.

> if not why?

It may be useful to put things that look like and act like an
integer in this array.  If you put something that doesn't act
like an integer in here, you'll find the problem when you take
it out of the array and try to use it like an integer.  And if
you don't use it like an integer I see no need for any
restriction.





		
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