Re: Syntax for label, NEW PROPOSAL

From: Dave Mason (dmason@sarg.Ryerson.CA)
Date: Fri Mar 17 2000 - 18:34:31 MET

  • Next message: Jan Brosius: "to have labels or not"

    >>>>> On Fri, 17 Mar 2000 18:48:40 +0900, Jacques Garrigue <garrigue@kurims.kyoto-u.ac.jp> said:

    > Having seen a number of recent messages against having labels in the
    > standard library, I have the feeling that there is a lot of
    > confusion here, and I would like to make a few points clear.

    > * In default (classic) mode, writing labels is (and will stay) not
    > required. For those users that do not like labels, or do not want to
    >[...]

    > * What we are discussing about is modern mode. This is not pedantic
    > mode, this is just another typing discipline. This basically doesn't
    > concern people who are not very fond of labels, and will be
    > perfectly happy with classic mode.

    I have been following this discussion somewhat remotely. I've not
    been able to do much programming lately, and almost no OCAML (I have
    dabbled with Olabl a few times). From what I can see:

    1) please do not call it ``modern'' mode. Call it ``label'' mode.
       The word modern has baggage attached to it. Other words that would
       be as good but also have (somewhat different) baggage include:
       different, changed, messed-up, experimental... My point is that we
       should use a word that is not ``good'' or ``bad'', and calling it
       ``label'' mode seems best. I have no opinion on what ``classic''
       mode should be called, although I think ``classic'' is fine (there
       is a little baggage, but it is split between has-withstood-the-
       test-of-time and old-fashioned, so is fairly neutral overall).

    2) I do not expect to use label mode very frequently, except when
       dealing with ugly APIs (typically ones imported from some outside
       world, such as Tk). If I can, in classic mode, program as I always
       have done, and access these APIs, but otherwise ignore labels
       (especially in the standard libraries!), I will be happy.

    3) I hope classic mode will remain the default for a *long* time.

    ../Dave



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