std.algorithm - notes

[Jarrod]

On Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:35:47 -0500, bearophile wrote:

> I think that a list comp can avoid you
> to create map/filter/xmap/xfilter, and you can improve code readability,
> etc.

I disagree. D is a straightforward language. Adding python list 
generation adds a big 'special case' scenario. Wrapping a for loop inside 
square brackets? Hmm I don't think that's better than using map/filter. 
Look at it from a non-python perspective: Every 'for' iteration does not 
generate a return value, so how can each cycle of a for loop logically 
create a list element?
At least with map/filter you can see the cascading pattern straight away. 
By looking at the documentation you know what they return and by being 
seen as functions rather than built in methods, any programmer can see 
how they will flow (simply take arguments in the brackets, spit out a 
return value).

With that said, more ordinary list operations would indeed be a blessing, 
such as:
>a,b = 1,2;
>a,b = b,a;
>return (a,b);

Just my thoughts.