[Bioc-devel] Problem with subset("AnnDbBimap", ...) ?

[Laurent Gautier]

Dear list,

The function subset("AnnDbBimap", ...) is returning an error whenever 
the resulting subset should be the empty set.

Example:

library(mouse4302.db)
subset(mouse4302SYMBOL,
        Rkeys="foo")


returns:
Error in .checkKeys(value, Rkeys(x), x at ifnotfound) :
   value for "foo" not found

This is true for either Lkeys or Rkeys.


The man page does say "
Lkeys
The new Lkeys (must be a subset of the current Lkeys).

Rkeys
The new Rkeys (must be a subset of the current Rkeys).
"

but this is limiting the use for the function and encourages the use of 
the environment-like API, although marked as provided "for backward 
compatibility".

Wouldn't it be good to either have:

- have subset return without an error

- have at least functions such as hasLkey and hasRkey ?



L.