[TriLUG] Broad question

[David Burton via TriLUG]

I wouldn't have a problem with Python's use of indentation for scoping if
everything were standalone programs. But it is inconvenient when embedding
Python code. I played with PSP (Python Server Pages), via mod_python, which
is basically "the PHP idea" done with Python, and the biggest single
problem with it was the indentation.

Additionally, a perpetual annoyance of mine is the completely arbitrary
syntax differences between the languages which I use. I don't really care
whether I have to type IF/ENDIF or curly braces, nor whether the keyword is
spelled ELSEIF or ELSIF or ELSE IF, but I just wish the languages I use
were consistent. I did a little project
<https://sealevel.info/binomcalc.sphp#:~:text=This%20webpage%20is%20unusually%20designed>
awhile back in which I ended up using a combination of PHP, CGI Perl, and a
little bit of JavaScript (and HTML+CSS), and I continually found myself
using the syntax for the wrong language.

Ah, well.  First world problems.

Dave



On Mon, Sep 4, 2023 at 5:20 PM Steve Litt via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org>
wrote:

> William Sutton via TriLUG said on Mon, 4 Sep 2023 13:29:52 -0400 (EDT)
>
>
> >One more negative about Python:  the use of indentation to determine
> >scope.  That's just a horrible idea.
>
> 1) With indentation based scope, you never again need to count curly
>    braces.
>
> 2) You never again have your indentation depart from what's really
>    happening.
>
> 3) No more brace placement feuds. GNU! No, Whitesmith! Oh HELL no, K&R!
>    No way, Ratliff! Ratliff's ridiculous, use Pico! Oh never mind,
>    we'll just each do it our own way.
>
> 4) With indentation based scope, you know exactly what's going on at a
>    glance.
>
> 5) With indentation based scope, the interpreter checks your
>    indentation against your code, lessening the chance of you doing
>    something you didn't intend to do.
>
> Obviously, the one downside is that everyone in the organization must
> agree on tabs vs spaces and stick to their choice religiously.
>
> SteveT
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