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  3. Which do you prefer? A programming question!

Which do you prefer? A programming question!

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  • M Marc Clifton

    if (foo)
    {
    DoSomething();
    }

    or:

    MaybeDoSomething(foo);
    ...
    MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
    {
    if (foo)
    {
    // do the something.
    }
    }

    eh?

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    Gary Wheeler
    wrote on last edited by
    #33

    I don't like the idea of having a DoSomething() and a MaybeDoSomething that only adds a simple if {...} around a call. My approach would have been:

    void DoSomething(bool something_allowed)
    {
    if (something_allowed)
    {
    // logic from original DoSomething()
    }
    }

    I've worked with code that was written such that there is only one or two block constructs per method. Naming ends up stupid (OpenFileIfFoundAndNotAlreadyOpen(), anyone?), and it makes it very difficult to follow logic. I would much rather have a method run a little longer yet be able to see the entire algorithm in one place.

    Software Zen: delete this;

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    0
    • M Marc Clifton

      What if (no pun intended), the "if" actually required more complex logic, including perhaps some nested stuff, like:

      if (foo != null)
      {
      var data = GetSomeData(foo.SomeValue);

      if (data has some specific value/s)
      {
      DoSomething();
      }
      }

      From an aesthetic point of view, I dislike putting all that into the main method, hence why I've got a couple "Maybe..." methods because the above scenario matches in pseudo-code what I'm actually having to deal with.

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      Alister Morton
      wrote on last edited by
      #34

      If the test is complex and gets used more than once, there's an argument for giving the test its own method. That way the test is isolated, and can be changed later, but it's not hidden away in the MaybeDoSomething method. So you might end up with if (TestIfWeNeedToDoSomething( ... )) { DoSomething(); } // lots of code follows. if (TestIfWeNeedToDoSomething( ... )) // again { DoSomething(); } and so on. A little inelegant, though.

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      0
      • D Daniel Pfeffer

        :rolleyes: This isn't the obfuscated C contest, and there is no prize for using the minimal number of keystrokes.

        Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.

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        D Offline
        David ONeil
        wrote on last edited by
        #35

        Obfuscated is when you use partial template specialization for the task! :laugh:

        The Science of King David's Court | Object Oriented Programming with C++

        H D 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • D David ONeil

          Obfuscated is when you use partial template specialization for the task! :laugh:

          The Science of King David's Court | Object Oriented Programming with C++

          H Offline
          H Offline
          honey the codewitch
          wrote on last edited by
          #36

          it wasn't me, i swear! *hides*

          Real programmers use butterflies

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • D David ONeil

            Obfuscated is when you use partial template specialization for the task! :laugh:

            The Science of King David's Court | Object Oriented Programming with C++

            D Offline
            D Offline
            Daniel Pfeffer
            wrote on last edited by
            #37

            :omg: :wtf: X|

            Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.

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            0
            • OriginalGriffO OriginalGriff

              I'm with all the others: first version is what I'd use. It's easier to read, more efficient, and potentially means you don't have to carry the "decision variable(s)" through to the called method.

              "I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!

              T Offline
              T Offline
              thewazz
              wrote on last edited by
              #38

              Aka single resp.

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              0
              • M Marc Clifton

                if (foo)
                {
                DoSomething();
                }

                or:

                MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                ...
                MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                {
                if (foo)
                {
                // do the something.
                }
                }

                eh?

                Latest Articles:
                Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                R Offline
                R Offline
                Reelix
                wrote on last edited by
                #39

                The first one. Why are you even calling the second one if you're not going to use it?

                -= Reelix =-

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                0
                • M Marc Clifton

                  if (foo)
                  {
                  DoSomething();
                  }

                  or:

                  MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                  ...
                  MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                  {
                  if (foo)
                  {
                  // do the something.
                  }
                  }

                  eh?

                  Latest Articles:
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                  S Offline
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                  sasadler
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #40

                  First one.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • M Marc Clifton

                    if (foo)
                    {
                    DoSomething();
                    }

                    or:

                    MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                    ...
                    MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                    {
                    if (foo)
                    {
                    // do the something.
                    }
                    }

                    eh?

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                    C Offline
                    C Offline
                    charlieg
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #41

                    Depends on the complexity of the method containing #1. I prefer showing logic as soon as possible *in context*. I'm also a big believer in encapsulation for the soul purpose of containing the application in edible portions.

                    Charlie Gilley <italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape... "Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783 “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759

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                    0
                    • M Marc Clifton

                      if (foo)
                      {
                      DoSomething();
                      }

                      or:

                      MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                      ...
                      MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                      {
                      if (foo)
                      {
                      // do the something.
                      }
                      }

                      eh?

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                      Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                      R Offline
                      R Offline
                      r_hyde
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #42

                      First option, full stop. -but- Here's a fun little twist, if your language of choice supports this sort of thing (I'll use C# to illustrate):

                      void ExecuteIf(Func predicate, Action thingToExecute)
                      {
                      if (predicate())
                      thingToExecute();
                      }

                      ExecuteIf(() => foo, DoSomething);

                      ...but I'm not convinced that this is any easier to read, it imposes a little extra overhead, and I would still stick with your first option. Just wanted to throw it into the mix :cool:

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                      0
                      • M Marc Clifton

                        if (foo)
                        {
                        DoSomething();
                        }

                        or:

                        MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                        ...
                        MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                        {
                        if (foo)
                        {
                        // do the something.
                        }
                        }

                        eh?

                        Latest Articles:
                        Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                        L Offline
                        L Offline
                        Lost User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #43

                        The 2nd option is like eating something you shouldn't.

                        It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food

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                        0
                        • M Marc Clifton

                          if (foo)
                          {
                          DoSomething();
                          }

                          or:

                          MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                          ...
                          MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                          {
                          if (foo)
                          {
                          // do the something.
                          }
                          }

                          eh?

                          Latest Articles:
                          Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                          M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Martin ISDN
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #44

                          if (foo)
                          {
                          DoSomething();
                          }

                          avoid the function call if not necessary. what you see is what it does.

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                          0
                          • M Marc Clifton

                            if (foo)
                            {
                            DoSomething();
                            }

                            or:

                            MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                            ...
                            MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                            {
                            if (foo)
                            {
                            // do the something.
                            }
                            }

                            eh?

                            Latest Articles:
                            Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                            A Offline
                            A Offline
                            AnotherKen
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #45

                            The first is more simple and will run faster when compiled. However, the second might be preferable if you plan to run that bit of code a lot of times since then you just re-type one call and it makes the code easier to read.

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                            0
                            • M Marc Clifton

                              if (foo)
                              {
                              DoSomething();
                              }

                              or:

                              MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                              ...
                              MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                              {
                              if (foo)
                              {
                              // do the something.
                              }
                              }

                              eh?

                              Latest Articles:
                              Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

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                              R Offline
                              rjmoses
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #46

                              It depends! 1) If the section of code is executed frequently, then #2 adds the cpu overhead of the call/return therefore slowing the program down. 2) If the DoSomething code is relatively simple and is only used in this one location, then it should be coded in place in order to make readability, understandability and comprehension better. 3) If the Dosomething code is frequently used code, then #1 makes it clearer when something is done. The answer to this question is a choice of balancing performance vs readability vs understandability vs comprehension. To me, code should always be written such that I or anyone else can comprehend the intent and methodology of the original programmer in a few seconds.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • M Marc Clifton

                                if (foo)
                                {
                                DoSomething();
                                }

                                or:

                                MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                                ...
                                MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                                {
                                if (foo)
                                {
                                // do the something.
                                }
                                }

                                eh?

                                Latest Articles:
                                Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

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                                U Offline
                                User 14060113
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #47

                                The answer is a clear "Depends!" ;-)

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                                0
                                • M Marc Clifton

                                  if (foo)
                                  {
                                  DoSomething();
                                  }

                                  or:

                                  MaybeDoSomething(foo);
                                  ...
                                  MaybeDoSomething(bool foo)
                                  {
                                  if (foo)
                                  {
                                  // do the something.
                                  }
                                  }

                                  eh?

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                                  PSU Steve
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #48

                                  First. I prefer only calling logic when the situation warrants. You always call MaybeDoSomething in the second, even if it really does nothing...

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • M Marc Clifton

                                    What if (no pun intended), the "if" actually required more complex logic, including perhaps some nested stuff, like:

                                    if (foo != null)
                                    {
                                    var data = GetSomeData(foo.SomeValue);

                                    if (data has some specific value/s)
                                    {
                                    DoSomething();
                                    }
                                    }

                                    From an aesthetic point of view, I dislike putting all that into the main method, hence why I've got a couple "Maybe..." methods because the above scenario matches in pseudo-code what I'm actually having to deal with.

                                    Latest Articles:
                                    Client-Side Type-Based Publisher/Subscriber, Exploring Synchronous, "Event-ed", and Worker Thread Subscriptions

                                    R Offline
                                    R Offline
                                    Rusty Bullet
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #49

                                    That is a different situation than posed. The overhead of a function call could be justified in this case.

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