[ANSI-Smalltalk] re: array creation syntax (was: expressing method signatures)

[Andres Valloud]

I think something that is being left unaddressed is whether using literal
arrays that allow code expressions (e.g.: the brace syntax in Squeak) is a
good practice or not.  In my experience, I have not felt the need for such
things, but maybe I have not been exposed to particular circumstances in
which they become useful.  Does anybody have some slam dunk examples that
can be shared so that we can evaluate this better?

Andres.

On Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 9:57 AM, Eliot Miranda <eliot.miranda at gmail.com>
wrote:

> On Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 2:11 PM, Craig Latta <craig at netjam.org> wrote:
>
> >
> >  > Defining new language elements is hard.  The worst that could happen
> >  > to this project, is to have extremely long threads with no conclusion
> >  > as on the Squeak list.
> >
> >      Indeed, although for what it's worth there's no lingering debate
> > there on this particular issue[1]. ;)
> >
> >
> > -C
> >
> > [1]
> >
> >      Namely, the short form of...
> >
> >      Array with: #foo with: #bar
> >
> > is...
> >
> >      #(foo bar)
> >
> > as in Smalltalk-80, and the short form of...
> >
> >      Array with: #foo with: true
> >
> > is...
> >
> >      {#foo. true}
>
>
> Well, in Squeak 3.9 I get
>
> Welcome to the finale version of 3.9 of 7 of November 2006
> #(nil true false foo) collect: [:ea| ea class] {UndefinedObject . True .
> False . ByteSymbol}
> #(nil true false foo) printString '#(nil true false #foo)'
>
>      But I suspect the appropriate standard use of curly brackets
> > across multiple dialects is a whole other morass. :)
>
>
> Having been living with Squeak for a while now I really, really like the
> curly brace syntax.  I also note that it doesn't conflict with e.g.
> VisualWorks use of #{name} for binding references.  So I have a strong
> personal preference for it, but that's just personal.
>
>
>
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