Attributes

[Daniel Keep]

Chris Nicholson-Sauls wrote:
> Craig Black wrote:
> 
>> C# has a feature called "attributes" that allows metadata to be extended
>> with custom information.  This would be very useful in D.  Basic 
>> support for
>> attributes in D would be possible by adding an array of objects to the
>> TypeInfo class.  Developers would need the ability to add attributes, and
>> retrieve attributes from this array.
>>
>> This feature seems easy to implement and has a great deal of utility.
>> Without boring anyone with details, it would make my code much more 
>> elegant
>> in many ways.  It would also open up some interesting new possiblities
>> including fast dispatch for multimethods.
>>
>> -Craig
>>
> 
> Actually I'm inclined to agree that it has its uses.  Among the changes 
> my Bovis projects makes from its predecessor is adding of attributes to 
> objects.  (As symbols whose value is presence/absence.  A Bovis Object 
> either is or is not '__Core, or '__Class, or '__Int, etc.)
> 
> One would almost need a new operator/surrogate for this purpose.  And 
> one has to decide if attributes are a compile-time or run-time feature, 
> whether they apply to the type, the variable, or both... etc.  Maybe 
> here at last is a use for the poor @ character?  ;)
> 
> Just thinking "aloud".
> 
> -- Chris Nicholson-Sauls

'@' already has a use... CWEB (and by extension, DWEB) uses it.  :P

	-- Daniel