Language design discussions
D is an evolving and complex language. New features are proposed, unexpected interaction in old ones get found, design issues are raised. All this may involve hard debates in D newsgroup and if often forgotten. This page serves as an index for major design discussions and proposals.
Formal improvement proposals can be found on the main DIP index.
Contents
Properties
Description
Initial @property design has issues. How can it be changed or even discarded at all?
Thread
- Initial discussion where this topic has rised
- Walters follow-up with proposal to kill property, most info here
Essential moments
Proposals
Access specifiers and symbol visibility
Description
Currently there is feature like "static global" in C or "unnamed namespace" in C++. Access specifiers for module-level symbols control access, not visibility. Ability to hide symbols needs to be added without breaking current access system.
As a result of discussion, Walter has asked for DIP on this topic.
Essential moments
Thread
- Initial thread that has raised this topic
- Follow-up about current state of affairs
- Access specifiers and visibility - combined data to make a decision upon
Proposal
auto ref
Description
Essential moments
Thread
Built-in associative array issues
Description
Present AA implementation has lot of problems and most likely needs to be reworked. AA_Implementation_Issues
volatile
Threads
- October 2013 Discussion
- September 2013 Discussion
- July 2012 Discussion
- July 2004 Discussion
- June 2004 Discussion
- May 2004 Discussion
- March 2002 Discussion
Essential Moments
Proposals
final-by-default
Threads
Essential Moments
- Manu provides justification for
final-by-default - Walter concedes
- Walter posts decision citing JSON regression and almost losing a client.
- Client affected by JSON regression steps forward encouraging gradual, managed change
- Andrei puts his foot down stating there will be no
final-by-default in the D programming language.
