How to write a function which receives different types of parameters?

[Hideo]

Let's take the class in RGSS script as an example, say Bitmap.

When we draw a text on a bitmap which is an instance of Bitmap,
bitmap = Bitmap.new(width, height)

we can either

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
bitmap.draw_text(x,y,width,height,text)
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

or we can

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
bitmap.draw_text(rect,text)
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

So how to create a def which can either receive x,y,width,height or rect?

In other language, we may simply build two functions with different parameters , however for Ruby, after we writed a new def, the old one was automatically covered. So I wonder how to write something like Bitmap.draw_text.

Thanks all ^_^

 

[OS]

Try using the #instance_of? method to determine what kind of value was actually passes. That way, you can decide how the method you are making should react to different parameters.

if @param.instance_of?(Rect)
   @param.rect_method_I_dont_know_about
elsif @param.instance_of?(Integer)
   @param.bitmap_method_I_dont_know_about

Do you understand?

 

[Yeyinde]

I did this sort of thing in my font addons script -> http://rmxp.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10696

It involves use of *args and .is_a?(Object)

 

[Hideo]

Thanks a lot both, param array plus a class check works just fine. ^_^