[boost] Re: string algorithms review

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-10-21 06:12:35

"Thorsten Ottosen" <nesotto_at_[hidden]> writes:

> As I said in my other post:
>
> php:       trim() does not modify the original.
> python:  strip() does not modify the original
> java:      trim() : does not modify the original ( even though it's a member
> function; there's no equivalent in StringBuffer )
> eiffel:     prune() : mutates (member function)
> perl:      chomp: mutates
>
> I wouldn't say all languages agree. In java you can actually get the this
> pointer in some cases, so you will end up
> referencing the original. Some of the languages are probably not powerful
> enough to do what Pavol tried to do, so
> their design seems more like a *coincidence*, not a design.

I don't think the fact that Python has immutable strings and Perl
mutates is coincidence.  It reflects fundamentals of their design
philosophies.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com