byKey and byValue: properties or methods?

[Steven Schveighoffer]

On Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:02:33 -0500, Andrei Alexandrescu  
<SeeWebsiteForEmail at erdani.org> wrote:

> On 1/24/12 2:53 PM, Steven Schveighoffer wrote:
>> On Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:27:42 -0500, Andrei Alexandrescu
>> <SeeWebsiteForEmail at erdani.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> byKey is what, an adverb phrase, an adjective phrase? It can't name a
>>>> range which is a thing.
>>>
>>> It has the implied verb "enumerate", "span". "Span hashtable by key".
>>
>> Actually, it's for each (x) in (y) by key:
>
> I'm thinking independently of foreach, e.g.
>
> auto iter = aa.byKey/*()*/;
>
> This should clarify that iter spans aa by key.

I wrote about that.

auto iter = aa enumerate (or span) by key.

But it doesn't actually enumerate by calling that function.  The  
enumeration is done by iter, which is an enumerator/spanner/iterator.

FWIW, I think byKey or byValue is fine for a name.  We're not writing  
COBOL here, it can be shorthand.  I just think they are properties, and  
read in English as nouns/adjectives (not actions).

-Steve