Re: how to prevent bugs without static type checking?

[Roberto Ierusalimschy <roberto@...>]

> Hence, the only true advantage I see of static typing is when you do
> true research, i.e. you have no clear idea about the right data
> structure (or the right approach) to solve your problem. In this case
> you continuously refine your data structure, and a static type checker
> is invaluable in driving you trough the code, pointing out all the
> places where you actually make assumptions on the underlying data
> representation.

In my opinion, a true advantage of static typing is when you do
maintenance. If you have more than a few lines of code, and you have to
change a little any data structure, "a static type checker is invaluable
in driving you trough the code, pointing out all the places where you
actually make assumptions on the underlying data representation."

-- Roberto