specific get methods or general get method?
<p>In some programming API's I see a list of methods to call, like getBoolean(String key, getDouble(String key), and getString(String key). Some other API's use a general get(String key) method, and return an Object which you are supposed to cast to an appropriate type yourself.</p>

<p>Now I am writing my own data accessing point, and I am wondering which approach to use. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach? When would you choose one over the other?</p>
