Revamping associative arrays

[Chris Nicholson-Sauls]

Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
> Associative arrays are today quite problematic because they don't offer 
> any true iteration. Furthermore, the .keys and .values properties create 
> new arrays, which is wasteful.
> 
> Another issue with associative arrays is that ++a[k] is hacked, which 
> reflects a grave language limitation. That needs to be replaced with a 
> true facility.
> 
> Any other issues with AAs that you want to see fixed, and ideas guiding 
> a redesign?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Andrei

Idea: the .keys and .values properties, rather than creating arrays, could create iterable 
ranges with the smallest possible footprint, internally walking the tree structure.