[fpc-pascal] Array clearing

[Ryan Joseph]

> On Apr 12, 2017, at 9:43 PM, Jürgen Hestermann <juergen.hestermann at gmx.de> wrote:
> 
> "clear" is not very clear to me ;-)
> IMO SetLength(array,0) is clearing too.

SetLength resizes memory so there’s that distinction. The fact there is an API is what’s important because there’s at least a reference point.  

> 
> The function you want should be called "Fill".
> For example a function
> 
> Array.Fill(DefaultValue);

Good idea. Any defined function is preferable.

> 
> But what happens to a multi-dimensional (dynamic) array?
> For example, how to handle this case:
> 
> Type MyType = record
>              A : Integer;
>              B : array of char;
>              C : array of Float;
>              end; // of record
>     ArrayA = array of MyType;
>     ArrayB = array of ArrayA.
> 
> What would be the DefaultValue for
> 
> ArrayB.Fill(DefaultValue);

That’s one of the reasons we won’t be seeing this function any time soon. ;)

Regards,
	Ryan Joseph