Matplotlib is a familiar case that illustrates this design. For example, instead of having an enum like LegendOption.TOP_LEFT, the function call might look like:
import plot_graph
my_canvas = plot_graph.create_canvas()
my_canvas.render_legend(place='northwest')
Why do many developers prefer to use strings for such parameters rather than defining enumeration alternatives? What considerations led to this decision? I appreciate the insightful responses shared so far and look forward to learning more.
hey i feel strings offer more flexibilty when coding quick protos, avoids extra enum type imports and makes docs easy to read. any thoughts on cases where enums might even be better or offer stronger type safety?
i think strings keep things simple and nimble, cutting out extra imports and making code snappier. enums offer safety but sometimes are overkill when you just want quick and easy implementation imho.
The decision to use strings over enums often comes down to balancing rigor with ease of use. In my experience, many developers deal with dynamic input where the overhead of importing and managing enum types is unnecessary. This approach simplifies both coding and documentation, as it’s more straightforward to list possible string values. While enums provide better compile-time error checking, Python’s dynamic nature usually makes this less crucial. Therefore, strings allow prototype flexibility and quicker iterations without significant drawbacks in typical scenarios.