[swift-evolution] mutating/non-mutating suggestion from a Rubyist

[Krishna Kumar]

Hey

I think adding “&” to methods will reduce the readability of the code. Also, keyword “mutating” makes it super clear and readable that my method is mutating the values.

1. mutating func add(value: Double){…}

2. func add&(value: Double){…}

I think it’s easy to skip the information encoded into the 2nd function which is this function is mutating a value as compared to 1st. When I read 1st function I start reading with keyword “mutating” making its intentions clear to me.

Also, it might become a symbol nightmare with following type signature of a function-

func nightmare&(title: String?) -> String? -> String?{…}

I can see the advantage of using “&” when calling a function. It makes clear at the call site that this method is mutating but still I don’t find eliminating “mutating” a good step for the reasons mentioned above.

Maybe we can think of some better solution.

Thanks

-Krishna

> On Apr 21, 2016, at 10:38 PM, Daniel Steinberg via swift-evolution <swift-evolution at swift.org> wrote:
> 
> swift-evolution at swift.org <mailto:swift-evolution at swift.org>
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