Default Arguments vs Optional Objects

Developers should use default arguments to create more flexible and user-friendly APIs, especially when functions have optional parameters that commonly use specific values meets developers should use optional objects when dealing with functions or data that might return null or have no valid result, such as database queries, api responses, or configuration lookups. Here's our take.

Default Arguments

Nice Pick

Developers should use default arguments to create more flexible and user-friendly APIs, especially when functions have optional parameters that commonly use specific values

Pros

• For example, in configuration functions where most calls use standard settings, or in utility functions where sensible defaults reduce boilerplate code
• Related to: function-overloading, named-arguments

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Optional Objects

Developers should use optional objects when dealing with functions or data that might return null or have no valid result, such as database queries, API responses, or configuration lookups

Pros

• They are particularly valuable in statically-typed languages to enforce compile-time checks for null safety, reducing runtime errors and improving maintainability in systems where missing values are common
• Related to: null-safety, functional-programming

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Default Arguments if: You want for example, in configuration functions where most calls use standard settings, or in utility functions where sensible defaults reduce boilerplate code and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Optional Objects if: You prioritize they are particularly valuable in statically-typed languages to enforce compile-time checks for null safety, reducing runtime errors and improving maintainability in systems where missing values are common over what Default Arguments offers.

The Bottom Line

Default Arguments wins

Developers should use default arguments to create more flexible and user-friendly APIs, especially when functions have optional parameters that commonly use specific values