9
What are some pros and cons of a scope keyword? (lemmy.basedcount.com)
submitted 8 months ago by librecat@lemmy.basedcount.com to c/programming_languages@programming.dev
7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In something like C++ you could create a scope like so:

{
	// Do something neat here
}

I was wondering about having or maybe even requiring a scope keyword, which might look like this:

scope
{
	// Do something neat here
}

This seems even more relevant in an indentation sensitive language like python:

scope:
	pass

Interested to hear any opinions, TIA.

top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] RonSijm@programming.dev 7 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

A scope is already implied by brackets. For example, a namespace, class, method, if block are also scopes.

So I don't really see why you'd want an explicit scope keyword inside methods, when all other scopes are implied... That just creates an inconsistency with the other implied scopes

[-] xigoi@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 8 months ago

Nim, which is indentation-based, has a block keyword.

block:
  echo "something"
[-] xmunk@sh.itjust.works 3 points 8 months ago

I dislike it - every block creating scope is reinforced by the lack of a keyword. Not all languages allow a blank scope block but those that have scope should...

In terms of python, welp, they made their own bed by making white space syntax significant. It was a terrible decision and would require a custom solution... maybe they could let you just arbitrarily indent an extra time?

[-] Kissaki@programming.dev 2 points 8 months ago

What's the intention and use case for this?

Only for empty, unlabeled, untyped scopes? Or would I write

function a() scope {}

Is it necessary for scope-ending cleanup of resources? If so, I would consider whether there are not better solutions for those.

Is it for code structuring? I would also consider what use a scope keyword has then, and what the alternatives are.

I don't see how adding a scope label helps with anything.

[-] librecat@lemmy.basedcount.com 1 points 8 months ago

To be honest, the only use case I really thought of was something like unlocking a mutex at the end of a scope or maybe a file.

[-] anton@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

In that case managed languages like python and java combine that functionality with try blocks. This is generally called try with resources.
C# has the using keyword that just uses local scope.

The commonality between them is declaring which resource is managed, not just everything is a scope. Imagine you wanted to manage one resource and return another.

[-] librecat@lemmy.basedcount.com 1 points 8 months ago

I was just thinking about Python's with

this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2024
9 points (84.6% liked)

Programming Languages

1160 readers
2 users here now

Hello!

This is the current Lemmy equivalent of https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgrammingLanguages/.

The content and rules are the same here as they are over there. Taken directly from the /r/ProgrammingLanguages overview:

This community is dedicated to the theory, design and implementation of programming languages.

Be nice to each other. Flame wars and rants are not welcomed. Please also put some effort into your post.

This isn't the right place to ask questions such as "What language should I use for X", "what language should I learn", and "what's your favorite language". Such questions should be posted in /c/learn_programming or /c/programming.

This is the right place for posts like the following:

See /r/ProgrammingLanguages for specific examples

Related online communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
armchair_progamer@programming.dev