One step beyond(!) that is matching on types.
def whatIsThis(value: Any): String = {
value match {
case int: Int => "It's an Int."
case text: String => "It's a String: " + text
case _ => "I don't know what it is."
}
}
println(whatIsThis("Moshi"))
println(whatIsThis(1))
println(whatIsThis(1.2))