Static vs Dynamic Types

I find dynamic type systems stressful. I suppose one’s preference or not for static vs dynamic types is influenced by personality. Are you the planner type or the moment to moment type?

Dynamic type systems trade less present worries (increased freedom, flexibility) for future unforseen consequences due to the complex interactions of any less than principled choices. That is the trade-off, which must exist, else one system would be obviously better than the other.

On the other hand, static types are more restricting but eliminate consequences of many kinds of carelessnesses (which are always eager to make their way into your code). This is useful because those sort of errors introduce headaches and complications far in excess of their triviality. And, while bad type systems are restricting, good type systems act more like guide rails than restraints.

By offering useful suggestions, and forestalling simple but bad decisions (with often outsized costs in time), good type systems end up augmenting the individual. The advantages of types are not just in the elimination of some class of errors at the cost of flexibility; rather, the true gain is when they force an outline for the theory of the problem you’re trying to solve. You have to fight bad type systems, but good type systems help you plan, investigate and anticipate.