From: Lionel Bouton <lionel-subscription@...>
Date: 2008-03-11T07:29:55+09:00
Subject: Re: Which is better -- method option or multiple methods?

Trans wrote:
> In the case of limited options, like the following example, which is
> better?
> 
> class String
> 
>   def align(direction. spacing)
>     case direction
 >     [...]
>   end
> 
> OR
> 
>   def align_left(spacing)
>     ...
>   end
> [...] 

If the direction is supposed to be static everywhere in the code, I'd 
use the align_<direction>(*args) methods.

But if the direction is dynamic (based on a property, a preference, any 
algorithm, ...) then I'd use the align(direction, *args) method. 
Otherwise you will get

case direction
when :left
   align_left(...)
when :right
   align_right(...)
when :center
   align_center(...)
end

constructs everywhere...

But I'd probably use the align_* methods to implement align(direction, 
...) for readability and flexibility anyway. In this case align_* would 
be private if you don't need them to simplify the API or public if you 
actually need them.

Lionel