From: Devin Mullins <twifkak@...>
Date: 2005-07-18T08:41:25+09:00
Subject: Re: `not' in parameter lists

gwtmp01@mac.com wrote:

> I also have a feeling from a human-factors point of
> view that punctuation is important to improving the
> readability of code.  While I think a lisp-like
> syntax is immensely powerful from a programatic standpoint
> I think that it can be difficult for a human
> to read and understand quickly.

My feeling is the exact opposite. I think
    assert foo.respond_to? bar
is immensely more readable than.
    assert(foo.respond_to?(bar))

The punctuation just leads to clutter, and in a block of 100s of other 
lines like that, the line ends up looking like this to me when I try to 
skim it:
    asse oo.respond_to r

But I realize that's just personal preference. However, I don't see how 
a language that allows both syntaxes is going to kill you any more than 
a language that doesn't place any significance in whitespace.

Devin
Actually, my favorite syntax would have to be
    assert (foo.respond_to? bar)
Anyways...