[OT] Microsoft filled patent applications for scoped and immutable types

[Dicebot via Digitalmars-d]

On Wednesday, 27 August 2014 at 20:08:45 UTC, Jérôme M. Berger 
wrote:
> 	Note however that as I understand it D does not have "immutable
> types" as claimed by patent 20140196008. The difference is that
> according to the patent the immutable attribute is given to the 
> type
> and applies to all instances of this type, whereas in D the
> immutable attribute applies to an instance (I may be wrong about
> that one, since I haven't done anything in D for years even if 
> I try
> to keep up with the forums).
>
> 	However, scala case classes should constitute prior art for 
> this
> patent.
>
> 		Jerome

In D it applies to type. When you "apply immutable to the 
instance" you in fact create new type on the fly by adding 
immutable qualifier to the existing one. But it can also be 
aliased to always be immutable.