Re: [pure-lang-users] null

[John C. <co...@cc...>]

Albert Graef scripsit:

> Like most languages (except Lisp), Pure distinguishes between
> alphanumeric characters forming identifiers and punctuation forming
> delimiters and operator symbols. That's just the way it is. 

Everybody says that, but everybody goes ahead and allows "_" as a
letter anyhow, and even gives it a special meaning in certain contexts.
Some languages, like SQL and Cobol, go so far as to allow "-" as well.

Ruby, in particular, allows "?" (predicate) and "!" (destructive) in final
position in an identifier without taking on very much of the Lisp nature.
Pure doesn't need "!", but it certainly could use "?".

-- 
They do not preach                              John Cowan
  that their God will rouse them                co...@cc...
    A little before the nuts work loose.        http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
They do not teach
  that His Pity allows them                         --Rudyard Kipling,
    to drop their job when they damn-well choose.   "The Sons of Martha"