[fpc-devel] New feature discussion: for-in loop

[Michael Van Canneyt]

On Wed, 21 Oct 2009, Micha Nelissen wrote:

> Michael Van Canneyt wrote:
>> Ideally, the compiler has no knowledge at all of specific classes, and a 
>> new keyword such as Iterator (or whatever) helps in ensuring that the 
>> compiler
>> is not contaminated with knowledge of specific classes or methods.
>
> I'm not sure how things are helped by "slapping" a keyword onto it? If we 
> call the thing a "class" then it's evil, but if it's called an "iterator" 
> which is actually the exact same thing as a class, it's fine? Correct me if 
> wrong.

Because with something like

Type
   MyIterator = Iterator(TSomeResultType,Func1,Func2,Func3);

Function MyIterator.Func1 : TSomeResultType;

begin
end;

Etc.

You're free to choose the names of the functions, so nothing has to be
hardcoded in the compiler. It's a bit like operators, where you can also
choose the names of the operands.

Michael.