If an existing data type only partially meets your needs, what can you do?

When an existing data type only partially meets your needs, extending that data type to add more properties is a practical and efficient approach. This method allows you to leverage the existing structure and functionality of the original data type while enhancing it to meet your specific requirements. By extending the data type, you maintain the core characteristics and relationships that are already established, which reduces redundancy and helps to maintain data integrity.

Moreover, this practice aligns with concepts of object-oriented design and reusability, where existing frameworks are built upon rather than starting from scratch. This can lead to a more streamlined and manageable codebase, as you are building additional features on a solid foundation.

Creating a new data type from scratch or modifying the existing one directly may lead to inconsistencies or the loss of valuable existing properties. Converting it to a different type could also compromise the data's integrity or intended functionality, making extending the existing data type the most effective option to enhance its capabilities without disrupting its original purpose.