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From: ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Conditionals !
Message-ID: <2553.UUL1.3#5129@willett.pgh.pa.us>
Date: 29 Mar 91 23:30:48 GMT
Organization: (n.) to be organized.  But that's not important right now.
Lines: 55


 Date: 03-15-91 (20:57)              Number: 1504 of 1557
   To: GARY SMITH                    Refer#: NONE
 From: CHRIS WATERS                    Read: NO
 Subj: CONDITIONALS !                Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
 Conf: FORTH (58)                 Read Type: GENERAL (+)

 Reply to: eaker sunbelt.crd.ge.com (Charles E Eaker)
  Subject: Names for conditional compilation.

 > I don't like [IF] because it puts the brackets in what will sometimes
 > be the wrong place. In a definition one would have to use
 >      [ condition [IF] ]

 Well, if you dislike that, you could use:

     [ condition ] [IF]

 Which is more like the syntax I usually use with query-paren in any
 case.  I don't really have a problem with either .IF or #IF, except that
 both of those names seem to imply that the word has something to do with
 output.

 > #IF is ok with me. When tens of thousands of programmers look at it for
 > the first time, their gut reaction will be nearly correct. I don't mind
 > porting C-isms to Forth as long as they aren't contrary to Forth
 > custom. This usage of '#' doesn't conflict with its traditional one.

 It doesn't conflict with the use of '#' in pictured numeric output?  I
 have to disagree with you here.  Moreover, I sometimes use my C pre-
 processor on my Forth code, and this would conflict with THAT!

 You also suggested:

    [ condition ] IF(

 But I think it's a little too easy to miss the lone parenthesis there.
 (And I notice you didn't misplace the braces in the example for YOUR
 suggestion! <grin>)  Still, I think it's a good counter-proposal.  [IF]
 was made up off the top of my head.  I'd prefer either of these to .IF
 or #IF.

 regards,
 Chris
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