4 ms·

Conditional logic is, in general, harder to analyze for correctness than declarative data and mathematical formulae.

• hansvm 6y ago
  Adding to this, I think conditional logic is typically fine; the distinction is in using conditionals as data that gets passed around in a system vs branching on those conditions. E.g., considering `var rectified = x*(x>0);` or `var foo = predicate ? bar : baz;` both lend themselves to having their invariants easily verified, even if many such constructions are littered through a program. Contrast that with something like `if (predicate) {/*nightmares*/} else {/*slightly changed nightmares*/}` -- too many branches can quickly lead to an explosion of possible execution paths and all the problems that entails.