From: james@...
Date: 2002-03-28T01:34:54+09:00
Subject: RE: Difference between 'do' and 'begin'

>
> james@rubyxml.com wrote:
> > I'm tending towards "compound statement" or "compound expression" for
> > begin/end
>
> Its correct and clear, but it is also too big/hard to pronounce. Try
> saying "block" ten times fast and then the same with "compound
> statement". The first sounds like a chicken-impersonation, while the
> second is a tounge twister...

Perhaps, but it seems to be a term frequently used in CompSci literature,
and it avoids the confusion of using similar words with dissimilar meaning.

a + b     # expression
x = a + b # statement

begin
   z = a + b
   z * a if b > 0
end  # compound expression

x = begin
     z = a + b
     z * a if b > 0
   end  # compound statement

begin/end behaves like an expression or statement; it compounds simple
expressions and statements


James


>
> In norwegian, I used "blokk" for "block" (fairly similar) and "kode
> bolk" for compound statement, to diffrentiate between the two while
> talking Ruby code.
> I'm not sure what the last word is best translated as, as my dictionary
> failed me. (But I keep thinking "bulk", despite how wierd it sounds.)
>
> --
> <[ Kent Dahl ]>================<[ http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~kentda/ ]>
>   )__(stud.techn.;  ind. econ & management: computer technology)__(
>  /"Opinions expressed are mine and not those of my Employer,      "\
> ( "the University, my girlfriend, stray cats, banana fruitflies,  " )
>  \"nor the frontal lobe of my left cerebral hemisphere.           "/
>