[including the list, which got inadvertently cut]
> Yes, I understand that short import is not "with", it just "smells"
> like "with" and like "global". Your reasons are correct for language
> implementers and I am telling about language users.
To be clear: this is not for implementers, it's for users. The point is that
you can always know *statically* what is in scope. When you say
function f() { ... }
var x = ...
with(obj) {
f(x);
}
you don't know whether the references to f and x are captured by `obj'
properties or not. When you say
import * from Foo;
f(x);
you know statically that f and x came from Foo. It doesn't depend on the
runtime behavior of the program.
> This is exactly about promoting good style. And when I proposed some
> shortcut for "function" 2-3 years ago in this list, it was discarded
> for good-style and readability reasons.
IIRC, it was discarded because a) we couldn't agree on a color for the
bikeshed, b) it was determined that it didn't add enough utility to the
language that wasn't already there.
My point is that it's kind of a deal-breaker for every script on the web to
have to write e.g.:
<script type="harmony">
import alert, document, window from DOM;
...
</script>
People have not had much problem writing `function' since the mesozoic era of
JavaScript. But if we want to get them to use a new module system, we can't
impose undue burdens simply for the sake of "promoting good style." Especially
when the downsides of ignoring that good style are not all that grave.
> About burden - I see it - new item "Never use default import" will be
> added to books and code style guides after "Never use global and
> with". And every user will need to remember one more JS quirk.
And if *I* were writing a style book, I would not say "never use default
import." I would say, "if you are writing a module of a reasonable size, or
with a reasonable number of imports, or if it's not particularly clear, then
don't use default import. Otherwise, go to town. It's your language, do what
you see fit."
It's not a JS quirk, it's actually an important feature.
Dave
_______________________________________________
es-discuss mailing list
es-discuss@mozilla.org
https://mail.mozilla.org/listinfo/es-discuss
