In aviation as in life, there are often multiple ways to accomplish a single task. I learned that lesson early in my training as a radar approach controller.
When I sequence aircraft to final, I can use headings, vectors, speed, or any combination of the three to achieve the required spacing. Is a VFR aircraft calling me for flight following? I can identify it using its reported location, by giving it a turn, or—most commonly—by assigning it a squawk code. Specific situations dictate the methods.
