I’m currently writing a CLI tool that handles a specific JSON data format. And I also want to give the user to get a slice of the item array of the file. It’s a slice in form of --slice START:END
through commandline options. So in example --slice 1:2
.
- Should I provide a 0 based index for the access or a 1 based index? In example
--slice 1:2
with 0 based index would start with the second element and with 1 based index it would start with the first element. - And would you think its better to have the
END
to be inclusive or exclusive? In example--slice 1:2
would get only one element if its exclusive or it gets two elements if its inclusive.
I know this is all personal taste, but I’m currently just torn between all options and cannot decide. And thought to ask you what you think. Maybe that helps me sorting my own thoughts a bit. Thanks in advance.
I personally find it easier for non programmers to use a START:LENGTH model.
3:5 is (up to) 5 elements starting at the third.
1:1 is just the first element
Any 0 is invalid
20:2 is elements 20 and 21
It eliminates inclusive/exclusive questions.