"clipka" <nomail@nomail> wrote:

> * For Loops
>
> Loops like #local i = 0; #while (i < n) ... #local i = i + 1; #end are
> commonplace, and they work, but they suck. I want something like a #for i = 0
> to n-1 ... #end.
>

I hope I'm not weighing in with some 'simpleton' comments here (I'm definitely
NO computer scientist), but the way I approach discussions of a proposed new
SDL language is strictly from the standpoint of 'comfortable usability.' As
basically a non-programmer (except with the SDL), I would want to see a
language that made 'simple sense' as to its syntax. For example: The #while
loop is easily understood, simply from the fact of its name. Using #for instead
seems a bit 'obtuse' as to its meaning (except among programmers, of course!)
But that's the point: If the new language is to have 'non-programmer'
adherents, then its syntax should be 'obvious' as to what it does, and easily
understood. (Of course, there are plenty of current SDL terms that probably
don't fall into that category, yet we've all learned to use them.) I guess my
basic concern is not to alienate new users (or even old ones) with new syntax
that seems strange, or rather, non-obvious as to its meaning.

Of course, I could be the 'odd-man-out'; perhaps the majority of POV-Ray users
*do* actually come from some kind of programming background, where 'odd' syntax
terms are of no consequence.

Ken W.

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