Incrementing [].length

[jcc7]

In article <e7bhde$2lli$1 at digitaldaemon.com>, Luis Marques says...
>
>Hello
>
>Consider this code:
>
>int list[];
>list.length += 1;
>
>dmd issues the error "(list).length is not an lvalue".
>
>Why doesn't "+=" work for the length property?
>"list.length = list.length + 1" works.

I'm sure it's the same reason you can't use "s.length++;". ;) I think it's kind
of like in Timecop when they say it'll create a paradox if the same person tries
to occupy the same space twice.

Here's some expert opinions on the subject:

<quote>
It was to prevent:

array [array.length ++] = 45;

Which is dependent on undefined behaviou
</quote>
(from http://www.digitalmars.com/drn-bin/wwwnews?D/10076)


<quote>
Walter thought that
array.length++;
hid too much complexity.  That statement can cause:
* realloc
* malloc/memcpy (if realloc has to move the array)
* GC run (if malloc doesn't have space)

Personally, I wish the syntax was legal...but I don't write the compiler.
</quote>
(from http://www.digitalmars.com/drn-bin/wwwnews?D/10297)

jcc7