D Editions

[Paul Backus]

On Saturday, 18 January 2025 at 05:28:59 UTC, Quirin Schroll 
wrote:
> Why we couldn’t add `match` as a keyword in an edition is 
> beyond me.
> You can always rename your variables in old code when you 
> decide you’re ready for the next edition.

`match` is already widely used as a function name, in a variety 
of different contexts:

https://search.dpldocs.info/?q=match

If we make `match` a keyword, these existing libraries will not 
be able to migrate without making breaking API changes. Which 
means that any *new* projects that want access to these libraries 
will be forced to choose the old edition instead of the new one.

The purpose of editions is to allow new projects to benefit from 
language updates without affecting existing projects. If we end 
up in a situation where even new projects are choosing the old 
edition, it seems to me that we will have utterly failed in our 
mission.