Re: The semicolon habit (was: Q: Definition

Jan Vorbrueggen <jan@neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de> wrote:
>The basic argument about indentation-sensitive languages seems to be "it's
>difficult to keep track of". Well - so don't do that. You're using a computer,
>aren't you? Have your compiler support indentation properly. As a working
>example, use a folding editor on occam2 8-).


In that case, the same argument can be made _in favor_ of the
        semicolon habit :) If, for example, you edit with emacs and
                (setq c-auto-newline t), then you get automatic indenting and
                        formatting, and still have the flexibility to indent the
                                way you want when necessary. Languages that depend on
                                        indentation get to be a pain as you
                                                assymptotically approach the right margin. If
there is some token that specifies the end
                                                                of the line, you can format however
                                                                        you want without losing the meaning.
I mean, why don't we eliminate
periods from English? If you
want to start a new sentence,
just start a new line
and capitalize.


Formatting enforced by the language is a bad idea.
---
Tim Hollebeek 'There will be a better sig when I have time'
--

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