[development] need a standard for contrib node build_mode constants

[Jeff Eaton]

The problem is not one of information storage length, but of flag  
collision.

Ints are fine as primary keys on a lookup table, or constant values  
for internal flags that will never be extensible. For things we know  
people will build on -- like node types, or node build modes --  
strings are the only way to avoid collisions when module developers  
start expanding.

--Jeff

On May 18, 2009, at 3:27 PM, Karoly Negyesi wrote:

> Ints, strings, these are just ways to express bits of information.
>
> Each character of a string will have approx 5 bit of info (or a bit
> less, 26 english chars, underscore, thats 27 not 32 but lets say 32).
> It also must be noted that its unlikely you will use all possible
> combinations, I bet XRNQW will not be used for example...
>
> I am with Peter, his proposal makes sense to me and can code more
> possibilities than strings.