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.

Main DIP index

DIPs

Discussed design issues and free-form proposals

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

Property Discussion Wrap-up

Proposals

• Property Discussion Proposal 1
• DIP21

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

• Walters final resolution about topics to cover in DIP

Thread

• Initial thread that has raised this topic
• Follow-up about current state of affairs

auto ref

Thread

• auto ref - again