On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 4:07 PM, BCS <[email protected]> wrote: > 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).
Well, there's Javascript too which is used a fair amount. Walter even wrote a parser for it once, you might have heard him mention it. So I would guess that when he says parsers for languages with optional semi-colons are more complicated, he probably knows what he's talking about. Doesn't mean his word is the final word on the subject*, but it certainly counts more than those of who have not implemented parsers for both varieties of syntax. --bb * He might have just not figured out the trick of it. I know I've written code for things which I thought were devilishly complex only to later see someone else's take on the problem that made all the complexity just melt away.
