> Because it is difficult to assume what the best encoding will be for any given workload, database systems should dynamically choose encodings based on storage and workload characteristics. It would be better just to take the storage requirement on the chin and not add a gratuitous variation in encoding which will bite you on the ass somehow (or someone else). As much as possible, pick one way of doing one thing. Yo…
The combinatorial explosion problem is nicely solved by defining good interfaces. C++ gives you iterators and algorithms that work on iterators. Clojure has sequence interfaces and functions that work on all sequence types.
That just improves the organization of the program; it doesn't get rid of the increased risks of doing the same thing in N ways that could be pined down to one.