On Wednesday, 19 September 2012 at 16:02:41 UTC, Hauleth wrote:
Some time ago I've asked on SO why most languages have `0` prefix for octal numbers. My opinion is the same as D designers that it cause a lot of bugs, but why octal numbers are avaible only by using `std.conv.octal`?
AFAIK: It is experimental. "The $(D octal) facility is intended as an experimental facility to replace _octal literals starting with $(D '0'), which many find confusing."
The reason for deprecating "0" prefix was indeed because of bugs. Then it was noticed that a library solution was available, and as a rule of thumb, if the library can do it, it is moved from the language to the library.
You'll see a lot of threads talking about "scope", which went the same way (which is now a library feature, not a language feature).
IMO, deprecating "0765" was a good move. Personally, I'd rather have had "0o765" instead of "octal!765" (if only for highlighting). But I don't think it is a big deal.
