From: Phlip <phlipcpp@...>
Date: 2002-10-31T00:17:47+09:00
Subject: Re: method-call style (Was: Tiny Featureless Ruby Web Server)

Paul Brannan wrote:

> I do the same thing.  It makes it clear that I'm calling a method and
> not retrieving an attribute.  I suppose it comes from my C++ background:
> 
>   class Foo
>   {
>     void foo()
>     int bar;
>   };

Programming is about communicating with humans first, a computer second.

(I'm aware my snippet hardly exemplifies this lofty ideal...)

I do it to say "calling a function here".

Props to Matz for not making me always do it. For example,

        puts indescribable.public_methods.sort()

Drop the middle () because it's redundant.

And where would http://flea.sf.net without the call chain?

root.move.move.move.move.move.color(White).longer(2).
   push.link(ax).pop.right.
   push.link(ax).pop.right.
   push.link(ax).pop.right.
   push.link(ax).pop.right.
   push.link(ax).pop.right.
   push.link(ax).pop.right
        
Those are procedural function calls, but I want them to look like commands 
in a miniature declarative language. And the ones that need arguments get 
() for parsinomy.

-- 
  Phlip
                http://www.greencheese.org/YaAw
  --  Wanted: Marriage counselor who also keeps pet rats  --