From: "David A. Black" <dblack@...>
Date: 2005-01-26T12:31:16+09:00
Subject: Re: attr

Hi --

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005, Zach Dennis wrote:

> Trans wrote:
>> Thanks David,
>> 
>> Okay, I've been convicned that ! attr as defined is utterly useless. So
>> I'll drop it. Maybe someone will think of a good use down the line.
>> 
>
> There is already a use, followed by a verb the ! signifies that the receiver 
> is going to be modified.

It often does signify that, but it doesn't have to.  Matz has
described it as follows:

   In Scheme, every destructive operation has bang sign at the end of
   the name.  Ruby did not follow this principle, rather I choose to
   put bang sign at the end of the name of methods which are more
   dangerous than alternative.


David

-- 
David A. Black
dblack@wobblini.net