Short Functions

[Brendan Eich]

On May 21, 2011, at 11:45 PM, Bob Nystrom wrote:

> Isn't there also:
> 
> 4. Shorter function syntax that allows a single expression body which doesn't require return, but if it has a return, it retains the same semantics as current JS functions.
> 
> That was my understanding of how -> functions would work:
> 
> log(-> 'hi')()) // 'hi', no return required.

Missing ( before the -> but yeah.


> function foo() {
>   let bar = (-> { return 'bar'; })();
>   return 'not bar';
> }
> 
> log(foo()); // 'not bar'
> 
> Isn't that what the current proposal is? I'm not arguing for or against this, just trying to understand our options.

That's accurate. But I discounted arrow functions because to be usable, to have the syntax you show above, requires GLR parsing (if bottom up; top-down may be easier, haven't proven it yet).

I have big doubts about TC39 switching from LR(1). *Even though* left-hand-side expressions and destructuring specs would benefit from the precision.


> Personally, I'm having trouble figuring out what my opinion is on how return (et. al.) should act inside a block lambda. I can see it making sense either way:
> 
> function sortByName(people) {
>   people.sort {|a, b|
>     if (a.name == b.name) return 0;
>     if (a.name < b.name) return -1;
>     return 1;
>   }
> }

Nope, looks like a block (with some |...| at the front), return should act as it does in a block.

Use completion values if you like:

function sortByName(people) {
  people.sort {|a, b|
    (a.name == b.name) ? 0 : (a.name < b.name) ? -1 : 1;
  }
}

or

function sortByName(people) {
  people.sort {|a, b|
    if (a.name == b.name) 0;
    else if (a.name < b.name) -1;
    else 1;
  }
}

if you like.


> function findProperty(path, property) {
>   File.open(path) {|file|
>     for (let line in file) {
>       let [name, value] = line.split('=');
>       if (name == property) return value;
>     }
>   }
> }

Yup. Looks like a block, return works as it does in a block.

/be

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