"Phil Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<b870629719727b4ba82a6c06a31c291232410ad...@hqmailsvr01.voltage.com >... > In our configuration data set, you can specify a default, global value for something. Specific entries in the configuration can override that global value. However, there are cases where you *must* specify a null value on a specific entry, as if you had no default, global value. > > Our internal debate is over whether an asterisk is appropriate to say "No, really, don't use any value here". > > So examples might be: > > thing1(option1,option2) /* This defines a thing with an explicit option1 and explicit option2 */ > > thing2(option1) /* This defines another thing and says "use the default, global value for option2 if you have one" */ > > thing3(option1,*) /* This would define another thing and say "even if you have a default, global value for option2, pretend you don't" */ > > thing4(option1,'') /* This is an alternative form of thing3 */ > > One of us feels that the asterisk should mean "use the global default". One of us feels that the double quote is ugly and error-prone. > > Based on the collective wisdom of the centuries, what *feels* right to you? > -- > ...phsiii > > Phil Smith III
It is my believe that you should always specify unambigiously what things do. Leaving answers to 'common sense', 'usually accepted ways of working', etc. will create confusion. Since you started this as theology/religioous item, we have a saying 'believing is what you do in church, here you must know for sure'. 'here' is in the IT-world, so specify the working of paramaters clearly. Kees. ******************************************************** For information, services and offers, please visit our web site: http://www.klm.com. This e-mail and any attachment may contain confidential and privileged material intended for the addressee only. If you are not the addressee, you are notified that no part of the e-mail or any attachment may be disclosed, copied or distributed, and that any other action related to this e-mail or attachment is strictly prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail by error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, and delete this message. Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij NV (KLM), its subsidiaries and/or its employees shall not be liable for the incorrect or incomplete transmission of this e-mail or any attachments, nor responsible for any delay in receipt. Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (also known as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) is registered in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, with registered number 33014286 ******************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
