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From: collins@cs.wm.edu (Bob Collins)
Subject: Re: Syntax question
Message-ID: <1995Mar23.130736.19109@cs.wm.edu>
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References: <3jrt1m$9rk@erinews.ericsson.se> <3jt5je$d0u@pip.shsu.edu>
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 1995 13:07:36 GMT
Date: 1995-03-23T13:07:36+00:00
List-Id: <comp.lang.ada>

In article <3jt5je$d0u@pip.shsu.edu> stdsee01@pip.shsu.edu (Road Pilot) writes:
>Geoffrey Hollingworth (etlghh@garbo.ericsson.se) wrote:
>: [snip]
>: When binding formal parameters with actual parameters the '=>'
>: operator is used, irrespective of whether the formal parameter
>: is declared as IN, INOUT or OUT.  Is there a reason for this ?
>: [snip]
>Well, the arrow symbol "=>" is not meant to imply direction.  It is used in
>the case statement (ex: WHEN choice => statement) and in aggregate assingments
> [snip]
>I don't know if this helps any or just confuses more, but I guess the main
>thing is that the arrow is more like a placeholder or referencing tool and
>is not meant to imply direction.

At the Ada debut in 1979 or 80 (memory cell problem), I asked Jean
Ishbiah how to pronounce the symbol "=>." He said it was supposed to
be like a pointing hand, and so he recommended pronouncing it as
"finger." If you needed to know ...

Bob Collins, collins@cs.wm.edu