Re: RFC 179 (v1) More functions from set theory to manipulate arrays

[Tom Christiansen]

>>>>>> "TC" == Tom Christiansen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

>>> The underlying problem is that arrays don't make SENSE as an 
>>> implementation for sets. 

>TC> And even in those rare places where they do, to use them as such
>TC> is gratuitously counter-efficient.

>Why? How is

>       @main_list = ....;
>       @more_stuf = ....;

>       @just_to_do_a_job{@main_list} = ();
>       @just_to_do_a_job{@more_stuff} = ();

>       @main_list = keys %just_to_do_a_job;

>more or less efficient than

>       @main_list union= @more_stuff;

>Both have to go through the same amount of work ("work is conserved")
>but one is more efficient in terms of the user's brainpower.

Only if you made the mistake of using the wrong data structure all
along -- that is, an array.

--tom