Learn With Me: ReasonML, Part 1
This article requires you to have a basic understanding of ReasonML, a functional programming language which I partly covered in one of my previous articles.
For quick navigation, here are the other articles in the same series:
Without further ado, let’s just dive into implementing a safe split method for strings. It’s a common task, but with a twist to make it interesting.
Starting off with a test case, because examples light the way: Splitting a_b,c_d,e_f by , should give us ["a_b","c_d","e_f”],
and by _ we get ["a","b,c","d_e","f”]. A neat little setup to see our function in action.
Here’s my take on the first implementation. It’s got a few parameters:
- str: the string we’re splitting.
- delim: a delimiter, with a default preference for comma (,).
- take: how many pieces we want, where -1 means “give us everything”
After some time, I realized that some arguments like the common “comma” delimiter don’t really change much.
So, why not make them defaults to simplify our lives?
That led me to introduce labeled arguments. It’s a small tweak but makes the function call much clearer.
And here’s how you use it — simplicity in action.
I couldn’t resist testing some edge cases, especially around the ‘take’ parameter. It’s like stress-testing your creation.
Then, a curious bug popped up when testing on an empty string. Turns out, we need a bit more logic to handle that gracefully.
Adjusting the ‘take’ value based on whether the string is empty was the fix. It felt like plugging a leak in a dam.
And voilà, the bug was squashed. It’s little victories like this that make coding fun.
Finally, to make the function even more robust, I tackled a scope-related issue, making sure defaults are handled cleanly.
With these adjustments, we’re all set to make the split function even more user-friendly.
What’s cool about ReasonML is how it lets us handle these optional parameters with grace. It’s like giving the function a mind of its own, smartly adjusting to what it’s given.
Now, making function calls is as easy as pie. Whether you specify parameters or not, it just works.
Reflecting on this journey, what started as a straightforward task evolved into a deep dive into the nuances of function design in ReasonML. Along the way, I not only tackled unexpected challenges but also discovered the joy of crafting code that’s both elegant and robust.
Every bug squashed and every edge case covered brought a sense of accomplishment. It’s these moments that remind me why I love coding: the continuous learning, the problem-solving thrill, and the satisfaction of building something that works well.
So there you have it, a journey through the creation of a safe string splitting function in ReasonML. It’s been a rewarding adventure, full of learning and fine-tuning. And who knows? The next challenge is just around the corner, ready to push our coding skills even further.
For quick navigation, here are the other articles in the same series:
