From: Paul Mckibbin <pmckibbin@...>
Date: 2008-03-11T08:43:29+09:00
Subject: Re: Which is better -- method option or multiple methods?

Lionel Bouton wrote:
> Trans wrote:
>> In the case of limited options, like the following example, which is
>> better?

> 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

Surely then there would then be a decision making process that would set 
the variable <direction>, and how is that simpler than calling the 
function?

In any case, you can replace your "case direction" constructs with

send("align_#{direction}",spacing)

Mac
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