From: James Britt <jamesUNDERBARb@...>
Date: 2004-08-19T06:51:39+09:00
Subject: Re: When to use parentheses around method args?

Joel VanderWerf wrote:
> Richard Dale wrote:
> 
>> Are there any rules of thumb for when it's a good idea to leave out the
>> brackets and when to use them?
> 
> 
> One rule that has been put forth is:
> 
> "Use parens in a method call if you are making use of the return value."
> 

But instant variables are only accessed through methods; using parens 
breaks the illusion (for what it's worth) of accessing object state 
through faux public properties rather than via method calls.

I wonder if people's preferences as to when to use parens has to do with 
prior experience with languages with a mixed object model (e.g. Java) 
that allow direct access to object state, versus the messages-only model 
found in Ruby.

James