Step 65: Prefer Domain-Specific Types to Primitives~

This is the 65th Step towards gaining the Programming Enlightenment series. If you didn’t learn the 64th Step, read it.

Data Types

What is Primitives?

It is a basic type of data type provided by a programming language. We can create more complicated using these basic types. Examples, int, float, boolean, etc.

What is Domain-Specific Types?

Also known as Abstract Data Types. These are the more complicated data types that are constructed using the primitive data type. The class represents the Domain-Specific types in modern languages. Example; VelocityInKnots, DistanceInNauticalMiles, UserAge, UserSex, etc.

Why use Domain-Specific Type?

• The code becomes more readable as it expresses concepts of a domain, not just float or string.
• The code becomes more testable as the code encapsulates behavior that is easily testable.
• The code facilitates reuse across applications and systems.
• The compiler gives an error for statically typed languages whereas, unit tests will help for the dynamically typed languages.

TL;DR Start exploring domain-specific types for the purpose of developing quality software.

Go to the series.

97 Journey Every Programmer should Accomplish

Go to 64th Step

Step 64: Pair Program and Feel the Flow~

Go to 66th Step

Step 66: Prevent Errors ~ Giles Colborne

References:

• 97 things Every Programmer Should Know ~ Git Book
• 97 Things Every Programmer Should Know ~ Paperback
• Primitive Data Type ~ Wiki
• Abstract Data Type ~ Wiki