On Wednesday, 10 June 2015 at 01:28:40 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
I'm bemused by the argument that D is deficient because it
doesn't implement a non-existent feature of C++.
I think you are offended ;^]. I have not said that D is deficient
regarding constexpr, I've suggested that I think D is moving more
in a high level direction than C++. Which is neither good or bad,
just different. "constexpr" has advantages and disadvantages.
But C++ constexpr was originally restricted to expression-like
functions. Loops were added later (making it easier to init
arrays) AFAIK.
My primary use case for constexpr in C++ is:
1. Initializing global constant arrays. These functions I label
"ct_make_lut_sin(size)" etc and only use them for that purpose.
2. Signifiying that a standard class member-function is returning
a constant value in a particular version of the class where you
expect a varying value, e.g. "size()".
I only add constexpr when I have to and only use constexpr
functions that are O(N) and only where beneficial. It's more like
"Do I _have_ to make this constexpr?", not "Oh yes, I can make
this constexpr!".
However, D's primary advantage over C++ is that D is easier to
get into. No sane person would want to learn C++ from scratch (if
they have other options). C++XX is more for people that already
know it or have to learn it (for work).
D's position will benefit from becoming simpler and more
streamlined, not more complex, so "constexpr" is not the right
thing for D, IMO. (Rust and C++ have complexity as a
barrier-to-entry)
some of these posts. I'm hoping to entice you to contribute in
the substantial way that I know you can.
I think prodding people to view things differently is
substantial, besides it helps me figure out what I want from a
language ;-). But I suppose you mean code, I am thinking about
doing comparative synthetic benchmarks between
"idiomatic/readable" C++, Rust and D vs "not-so-readable hardware
oriented C".
I think you will find that more people will chime in when the
compiler has completed the transition to D and the codebase has
been refactored. It doesn't make much sense to get into the C++
codebase at this point where you are transitioning.
