RE: Re: Mutable Bytes

Greg Ewing wrote:
 
> It might be useful to keep an immutable Bytes 
> type around for use as a dictionary key.

I've been thinking of adding a Prothon language feature that let's you set
the immutable bit on any individual object.  The dictionary checks that bit
for allowing keys, not the object type.  This ability to set the
immutability bit is already allowed in C code.

This would let you use any Dictionary, List, or Bytes object as a key.  I
would add a hash function to each type also.

We could almost let strings be mutable with this scheme, if dictionary keys
are the only reason for immutability.

You would never be allowed to turn off the immutable bit.  That is an
inherently unsafe operation due to the way my locking works.