Re: Ada 2012: In-out parameters for functions

["Randy Brukardt" <randy@rrsoftware.com>]

As mentioned earlier, this is included in AI05-0144-1; you'll find that 
older thread in the appendix of that AI.

                         Randy.

"Adam Beneschan" <adam@irvine.com> wrote in message 
news:42ab7a8e-78ec-4b41-bdca-3f785cc5d5ef@googlegroups.com...
On Sunday, May 5, 2013 3:24:50 AM UTC-7, Niklas Holsti wrote:
> On 13-05-04 02:29 , Randy Brukardt wrote:
>

> How about reusing the mode keywords:
>
>    Proc (
>       In_Param  => in A,
>       Out_Param => out B,
>       In_Out_Param => in out C);
>
> The mode keywords would be optional, of course, thus this extension
> would be upwards compatible with current Ada. Note that this syntax can
> be used with positional association calls, too:
>
>    Proc (in A, out B, in out C);
>
> An alternative, perhaps more English-like, would be to put the mode
> keywords in front of the formal parameter:
>
>    Proc (
>       in In_Param  => A,
>       out Out_Param => B,
>       in out In_Out_Param => C);
>
> but I like the first form better, because its form and format are more
> familiar, especially when the "=>" are vertically aligned.

I checked my archive of Ada-Comment mail, and it seems we had this exact 
discussion around March 2009.  It looks like I suggested one of the syntaxes 
you mentioned, and the people who commented afterward seemed to be split 
about evenly between those who like the idea and those who hated it.  (You 
contributed a comment too, on the "like" side.)  It doesn't look like this 
was ever turned into an AI or an AC, though; at least, I can't find it.  Bob 
Duff was the one who pointed out how Ada 79 handled it.

                          -- Adam