From: Greg Fodor <gfodor@...>
Date: 2007-05-25T13:45:06+09:00
Subject: Re: Introducing the "it" keyword

> return $result if v + 1 < 10
>
> Although this raises a question....is it supposed to return the result
> of "v + 1" or "v + 1 < 10"?
As proposed right now, by default, it will be set to the value of
the expression (v + 1 < 10), unless a subexpression is specified.

I proposed pipes to specify such a subexpression and Michael proposed
inheriting the regex style of ordered paren grouping, which has its
own set of pros and cons.

Personally, I like 'it' :) It reads nicely and makes sense to me.

It really *shouldn't* mean or imply anything about it's value,
because "it" is whatever you're currently most likely to be 'talking
about.' I'd argue that the keyword should only be used for short
blocks or expressions, otherwise you're right, it may get confusing.

For example:

return it if |x| < 5

and

strings.map { pluralize it }

are good but

if |x| < 5
  .. lots of code ..
  my_var = it * 5
end

and

strings.map do
  .. lots of code ..
  pluralize it
end

Are less desirable.

"it" seems best to be used for short one or two liners, not
sprinkled throughout long block bodies. This may or not be
something we'd even want the interpreter to enforce.