Re: Why not using [] instead of () for array?

[byhoe@greenlime.com (Adrian Hoe)]

byhoe@greenlime.com (Adrian Hoe) wrote in message news:<9ff447f2.0202241719.446bf17b@posting.google.com>...
> I had a possibly fruitful discussion (a long one and solely discussed
> about using Ada for joint-project) with a number of possible
> co-workers this weekend. When I showed them a piece of Ada source
> code, one (only) question was asked by these friends and I didn't know
> exactly the answer.
> 
> "Why not use [] instead of () for array in Ada?"
> 
> Two reasons for [] is preferred to ():
> 
> 1. More clarity, certainly leads to more readability.
> 
> 2. More distinguishable from functions parameters and leads to 1.
> 
> 
> Example 1
> =========
> matrix (1 .. 100);
> 
> compares to
> 
> matrix [1 .. 100];
> 
> 
> Example 2
> =========
> 
> do_matrix (8);
> 
> a := matrix (8);
> 
> compares to
> 
> do_matrix (8);
> 
> a:= matrix [8];
> 
> where do_matrix is a procedure (or can be function) which takes an
> integer parameter to refer an array. Notice the use of matrix [8]
> instantly distingusihes itself from a function/procedure with
> parameter(s) compares to matrix (8).
> 
> I don't know if this has been discussed before. But I think this is a
> good question. What exactly the reason for using () rather than []? I
> strongly believe a strong reason exists which I don't know. Anyone?
> 
>                               -- Adrian Hoe
>                               -- http://greenlime.com/users/adrian.hoe


Thanks for clearing things up. Your points have prepared me more to
answer questions like this.


                              -- Adrian Hoe
                              -- http://greenlime.com/users/adrian.hoe