How to define a function which accept both Seq[T]

Question

In many cases, I want to apply the same filter or map function to a Seq or ParSeq collection. However I don't want to write the code twice.

def fun(data:ParSeq[String], num_start:Int,num_end:Int) = {
    data filter { x=>
      val temp = extract_number(x)
      num_start <= temp && temp <= num_end
    }
  }

Like the code above, for a Seq[String] I need to apply fun, I have to rewrite it again and the content are exactly the same. How can I avoid it?

Answer 1

Try this

def fun(data:GenSeq[String], num_start:Int,num_end:Int) = {
    data filter { x=>
      val temp = extract_number(x)
      num_start <= temp && temp <= num_end
    }
  }

GenSeq is a trait and it is extended [or implemented] by both ParSeq and Seq

Answer 2

You can use GenSeq[String].

Both ParSeq and Seq extends GenSeq, this is typically used in order to have functions that will use parallel or sequential operations depending on the type of collection you pass to them.