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Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 07:37:35 -0500
From: Doug Hoffman <no.spam>
Reply-To: dhoffman.at.talkamerica.dot.net
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Newsgroups: comp.lang.smalltalk
Subject: Re: FINALLY: Another language adopts Smalltalk's  keyword -syntax
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Daniel T. wrote:
> Stefan Schmiedl <s...@xss.de> wrote:
> 
>> One of Lisp's advantages is that the sequence of keyword arguments does
>> not matter.
> 
> You are assuming that is an advantage...
> 
> monster moveAt: 5 mph left: 3 meters.
> 
> monster moveLeft: 3 meters at: 5 mph.
> 
> It seems to me that allowing both lines above obfuscates without adding 
> anything useful.

Indeed.

In another language (PowerMops) we get along fine with something like 
the following.

3 5 moveLeft: monster

or, if visual cues are desired we can insert comments

3 ( meters)  5 ( mph) moveLeft: monster

or if unit conversion/declaration is required then we would do it as follows

3 meters  5 mph  moveLeft: monster



Actually we have no concept of "keywords" in a message send.  There can 
only be a single word message (in this case moveLeft:) with as many 
parameters as one wishes.  The number and order of parameters is fixed 
and must precede the message.  All message names must end with a 
colon(:).  The object normally immediately follows the message.  We have 
  an easy to use look-up browser to remind of parameter type and order.

Regards,

-Doug Hoffman  Longtime lurker and admirer of Smalltalk

http://sourceforge.net/projects/powermops/  (Macintosh only)