[gstreamer-bugs] [Bug 506132] Review of changes in video/video.h

[GStreamer (bugzilla.gnome.org)]

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  GStreamer | gst-plugins-base | Ver: HEAD CVS




------- Comment #5 from David Schleef  2008-01-12 23:19 UTC -------
The difference between using functions vs. structures at this level is pretty
much a matter of style.  However, my reasoning here is mostly:

 - Functions are easier to extend: just add another function.  Structures, you
have to worry about ABI issues.

 - Functions are simple and obviously named.  IMO, it's much harder for a user
to understand the fields in a structure than the return value of a function. 
This is especially true when some of the structure fields are irrelevant for
certain formats.

 - With structures, you have to worry about refcounting/freeing

 - Functions map very easily into other languages.  Structures somewhat, but
it's more difficult and takes effort.


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