Hi, On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 11:02 PM, Kevin Powick <kpow...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Check the error value. If an error is present, all bets are off with > regard to any of the return values. It's simple, explicit and consistent. > I've said it at least 5 times in this thread alone but: No one is actually arguing this point (no matter how much some people seem to insist we do). The idea that "sometimes" an API call will return values that "may" be > helpful, or partially useful, is a recipe of disaster. > This is even further from what anyone is suggesting, than the normal level of misunderstanding on this topic. If anything, the idea is to *relatively* (!!!)ยน consistently return the most unhelpful value possible. > Yes, some will ignore or forget to check the error value and their > programs may continue to work (until they blow up) > The idea is to prevent this by putting at least some effort into returning obviously and intentionally invalid values that blow up immediately. It's exactly the opposite of what you are arguing against. > If anyone writing an API want's to help the users of their APIs, then > provide meaningful, detailed information in any returned error. > Again, not debated here, even in the slightest. Again, the example from above should give some indication of what the question is: In the case, that a function has a value partially initiated when an error occurs, should it a) return a fully invalid value (be it nil, the zero value of a primitive type or the zero value of a struct) even if that means adding an extra branch or so and maybe an instruction or two, or b) just return the partially initiated value. The argument is, that a) will help a developer, that forgets to check the error, to discover and fix the bug more quickly and that it does very little harm. [1] if anyone suggests again that I intend to make this part of an API contract, I'll scream. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "golang-nuts" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to golang-nuts+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
