I read about the interfaces a lot and I think I understand how it works. I read about the interface{}
type and use it to take an argument of function. It is clear. My question (and what I don't understand) is what is my benefit if I am using it. It is possible I didn't get it entirely but for example I have this:
package main
import (
"fmt"
)
func PrintAll(vals []interface{}) {
for _, val := range vals {
fmt.Println(val)
}
}
func main() {
names := []string{"stanley", "david", "oscar"}
vals := make([]interface{}, len(names))
for i, v := range names {
vals[i] = v
}
PrintAll(vals)
}
Why is it better than this:
package main
import (
"fmt"
)
func PrintAll(vals []string) {
for _, val := range vals {
fmt.Println(val)
}
}
func main() {
names := []string{"stanley", "david", "oscar"}
PrintAll(names)
}
If you're always want to print string
values, then the first using []interface{}
is not better at all, it's worse as you lose some compile-time checking: it won't warn you if you pass a slice which contains values other than string
s.
If you want to print values other than string
s, then the second with []string
wouldn't even compile.
For example the first also handles this:
PrintAll([]interface{}{"one", 2, 3.3})
While the 2nd would give you a compile-time error:
cannot use []interface {} literal (type []interface {}) as type []string in argument to PrintAll
The 2nd gives you compile-time guarantee that only a slice of type []string
is passed; should you attempt to pass anything other will result in compile-time error.
Also see related question: Why are interfaces needed in Golang?