Sometimes, people can really annoy you...

In a recent post, I show an easy way to convert between String and Char arrays. Someone responded with a comment that stated:

It actually doesn’t convert, but creates new string object containing characters copied from given char array.

That’s their entire response. Nothing really adding to my post that either was an improvement or correction… other than to say my choice of using the word convert was incorrect.

OK, so according to Merriam-Webster Online (I just picked a dictionary at random):

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Main Entry: ¹con·vert

Pronunciation: k&n-‘v&rt

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French convertir, from Latin convertere to turn around, transform, convert, from com- + vertere to turn – more at WORTH

transitive senses

1. a: to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another b: to bring about a religious conversion in
2. a: to alter the physical or chemical nature or properties of especially in manufacturing b (1): to change from one form or function to another (2): to alter for more effective utilization (3): to appropriate without right c: to exchange for an equivalent
3. (obsolete) TURN
4. to subject to logical conversion
5. a: to make a goal after receiving (a pass) from a teammate b: to score on (as a try for point or free throw) c: to make (a spare) in bowling

intransitive senses

1. to undergo conversion
2. to make good on a try for point, field goal, or free throw

synonym see TRANSFORM

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As you can see, 2b states: “to change from one for or function to another”. Also, a synonym for convert is transform. So how exactly was the use of the word convert in the context incorrect?

To stick with the word convert (or more specifically it’s variation, converter); is the use of the word incorrect in a document discussing Implementing a Type Converter (located on MSDN as part of the .NET Framework Developer’s Guide)?

OK, and to be completely fair… technically I was referring to the value within the String or Char array that is being converted, but somehow I would have guessed that anyone reading what I was saying could have distinguished that fact.

I really do try to accept all criticism, as it allows me to improve. But when something like this comes in and I to take the time to look something up because I might have been incorrect just to find that I was completely correct… man, people, at least try to get your facts straight when raining on other peoples parades.

Sometimes some people (or more specifically their actions) can really annoy me…