Should I implement multiple browser API overloads as distinct functions (e.g., BuildAPIData(), BuildAPIDataWithForm, BuildAPIDataWithElements) or use an options pattern?
func BuildAPIData() APIData {
// implementation
}
func BuildAPIDataWithForm(formID string) APIData {
// implementation
}
func BuildAPIDataWithElements(formID, controlID string) APIData {
// implementation
}
i prefer setting up a default config struct then tweaking it as needed. avoids a bunch of funcs and keeps it simple. for more complex cases, a fluent builder can be cool. overall, it’s all about what fits your code best.
i tend to use fucntional optons if there are many varients; if its only a few, seperte funcs can be ok too. it keeps the code simple and readable when you balance complexity with clarity
From my personal experience, when trying to implement overloaded constructor-like functionality in Go, the options pattern often provides better scalability and maintainability. In past projects, I observed that using functional options allows the API to grow without overwhelming the function interface. Although having multiple dedicated functions can be simpler for a limited number of variants, it often results in duplicated code or eventual complexity as requirements change. Using the options pattern, you create a cleaner design that facilitates default configurations and simplifies testing, and this approach has proven effective in larger codebases.
I have worked on several Go projects where this design dilemma was a real issue. In one instance, splitting the API constructors into multiple functions seemed straightforward initially, but as the requirements evolved, it introduced redundancy and made maintenance harder. Eventually, I switched to using a functional options pattern. This method not only preserved the cleanliness of the interface but also made it easier to extend functionality without breaking existing code. It allowed me to have a base constructor with sensible defaults while optionally overriding fields using a chain of option functions.