[fpc-devel] Parameters must match exactly?

[Alexander Klenin]

I would like to return the discussion to the original question,
now with the real code sample ;-)
Look at r21318 of Lazarus (tachart: fixed compilation with fpc 2.5.1,
by Vincent).

[BTW, is there any web-interface for browsing Lazarus SVN?]

I think it is a typical sample of change required to production code
by the restriction we are discussing.
Looking at the diff, I'd argue that:
1) Old version was cleaner.
2) New version is _not_ any safer, since any type error in the old code
  will result in exactly the same consequences with the new one.
=>
So, the additional inconvenience to developer did not pay off.

To really address the problem, I think compiler should insert a run-time type
check (e.g. the as operator) automatically.
This way, original code will continue to work unchanged _and_
the programmer will get a clear exception in the case of error.

-- 
Alexander S. Klenin