Re: Expression-local variables and 'let'

Isaac wrote:
> "let" is a command, it's active and direct - "let this be true!".

"let" is imperative and "val" is declarative? Hmm...now I am starting to not
mind "val" so much... :) Seriously, though, I don't think this is too important.

Daniel wrote: 
> Cannot we consider that 'val' does not declare a variable: it gives a
> name to a value?

> > Agreed. Unfortunately, that's also why it does not seem right in the 
> > middle of an expression.

Variable declarations do not feel right in the middle of expresions in general,
whether "let" or "val" is used.

> We can go around and around. 
> Seems to me that we're optimizing for the (wild assed guess) 20% of
> user-defined statements, rather than ordinary assignments. And I'd side
> with the Ada designers for readability over concision - readability
> helps me write correct code.

I agree a lot with this sentiment. The proposed syntax is only readable in one
specialized construct that is hardly used. That is why I still advocate
"let..in," since it would be useful in the majority of programs and is more general.

- Brian




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