[plt-scheme] keyword arguments (in v4.0, maybe)

On Jun 13, 2007, at 5:28 AM, Jens Axel Søgaard wrote:

> Robert Nikander skrev:
>> Any interest in having an option to read symbols ending in ':' as  
>> keywords? (like srfi 88)  I personally find this prettier and  
>> easier to read.
>> (greet "John" last: "Doe" hi: "Howdy")
>> I'm imagining that we could turn it on/off with something like
>> #reader-options ...
>> at the top of a file?  That would preserve any existing code that  
>> used symbols ending in ':'.
>
> If two modules have conflicting exports it is fairly common to
> import them like this:
>
>   (require (prefix srfi: (lib "1.ss" "srfi"))


Yeah, I use that style too.  But since (prefix <prefix> <module- 
name>) is a special form, it would simply allow symbols or keywords  
(or even strings) for <prefix>.  So, the above form would still  
work.  Not a problem right?

Benefits:
1. Easier to read, because it follows natural language.
1.a. More obvious and appealing to new users.  (I'm willing to bet.)
2. Easier on the hands (no shifted top-row), especially if you type  
with 10 fingers (see: dvorak) as opposed to two, hovering over the  
keyboard.  :)

Drawbacks:
?

I've also used an existing Scheme implementation (Kawa) that had  
keywords like "this:" as well as namespaces with colons.  No problems.

Rob