a**b exponentiation

[Deewiant]

Chris Nicholson-Sauls wrote:
> Deewiant wrote:
>> We have precedent for the problem of a**b: we already have ++a and a++,
>> both of which can lead to similar problems. What does "a+++b" mean? 
>> Possibilities are "a++ + b" and "a + ++b". Also, "a++b" can be "a + +b",
>> but parses as "a++ b", a syntax error.
> 
> This is at least predictable because of the compiler's "maximal munch" 
> policy: always grab the biggest hunk of source you can at one time.(The 
> 'a+++b' example would parse as 'a++ +b'.)
> 

It's predictable, yes, but it's still not clear. a**b would also be predictable
as meaning a ** b, not a * *b.