sml - Is it possible to do pattern matching without case? -

i'm still learning sml, apologies if rather dumb question. wondering if there better way pattern matching on constructs outside of functions.

for example, let's have type

type coord = int * int * int

and have value b of type coord. understand can pattern matching in functions, example:

fun get_x_coord ((x, y, z) : coord) = x

but let's we're working b inside of function not given parameter. feel doing

case b of   (x,y,z) => (* stuff *)

is rather clunky if have single result want (for example know there 3 integer values , want isolate them).

is there better way this?

sure - can use pattern matching in val-bindings too, this:

fun foo (b : coord) =   let val (x, y, z) = b   in (* stuff *)   end

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