How are any and some used in practice?

In practice, the use of any and some in Swift can be seen in the context of generics and type constraints. Here are some key points from the WWDC sessions:

1. Replacing any with some in Embedded Swift:

   • In the session Go small with Embedded Swift, it is mentioned that using any types can be avoided by replacing them with generics. For example, swapping any Countable for some Countable turns a function into a generic function. This approach is beneficial as it allows the compiler to specialize generic functions, resulting in code that does not require expensive runtime support or type metadata.

2. Disallowing any types in Embedded Swift:

   • The session also highlights that any types are disallowed in Embedded Swift to avoid the need for runtime metadata, which can be costly in terms of code size. Instead, generics are used to achieve similar functionality without the overhead.

3. Using any in Swift Testing:

   • In the session Meet Swift Testing, the expect macro is discussed, which can accept any expression, including operators and method calls. This flexibility allows for detailed results if a test fails, showcasing the practical use of any in testing scenarios.

Relevant Sessions

• Go small with Embedded Swift
• Meet Swift Testing

These sessions provide insights into how any and some are used in practice, particularly in the context of Embedded Swift and Swift Testing.