Hello bearophile,
BCS:
- it allows long code lines to be folded
This is not a problem, when you have optional semicolons, you add some
syntax to fold long lines. Python uses \ Mathematica uses \\ and so
on. Languages like Scala, Boo, Genie, etc seem able to survive.
The only one of those in common use is Python and its not a good date point
because of all the other whitespace stuff it does (it's in a category all
its own).
Also line continuation Is just ugly. (And before you ask, no, I don't think
semicolons are ugly)
- it acts as a bug check on reformat:
origonal code
MyType t; // result of -t and opSub_r(int) are lvalues
auto a = 5
-t = 3
MyType t;
auto a = 5 -t = 3 //reformat and forgot to add ';' Oops
I've written enough Python code to fill few books, and this doesn't
happen often, something like few times in a year.
I think this is one of those things that you have to try for real for
few hours in a row to be able to judge them a little.
I'll grant the only white space aware languages I've used much are basic
(a long time ago) and the C preprocessor. As for CPP the whitespace issues
are the #1 thing I dislike about it (and there are a few other things I don't
like one bit)
