Need to return an immutable variable number of ite...

# codereview

[Dominaezzz]

Need to return an immutable variable number of items from a function. Should I return a List<T> or Array<T>?

[louiscad]

Array is always mutable but its size is fixed. List is read-only, but if it's backed by a MutableList, or another implementation that can change, its size and content may change.

The simple answer is to use List.

[Dominaezzz]

I should also mention I'm passing full ownership to the caller. So if they wish to mutate it, so be it.

[louiscad]

full ownership of what?

[Dominaezzz]

Of the List<T> or Array<T>.

[louiscad]

And what it means, concretely?

[Dominaezzz]

Just emphasizing that when I say immutable, it doesn't matter 😅 . I'm not trying to protect the returned values at all.

[louiscad]

Then, if iteration performance is critical or is a hot spot, use Array, otherwise, use List.

[Dominaezzz]

Okay

[myanmarking]

just use list, even if it's backed by a mutablelist, the exposed type should be list. arrays are easier to mess up from the caller point of view