Why a function name can't be followed by spaces?

[isurface]

There is a comment is source code : Can't be a function definition or call without an open-parenthesis as first char found by the above.
Is there any problems with spaces?

Thanks.

[Coco]

one thing comes into mind: if (expression) vs function_name (args)

[isurface]

one thing comes into mind: if (expression) vs function_name (args)

Thanks Coco.

But there is no point, the syntax of if(true), without space is valid in V2.

[Coco]

AHK has auto-concatenation...

Code: Select all

str := "Hello"
auto_concat := str (str() ? " World" : "")
MsgBox, % auto_concat

str() {
	return true
}

[isurface]

Nice, It's reasonable. I think the syntax of auto-concatenation is ugly.

Thank you.

[Wade Hatler]

I love auto concatenation myself, and if you don't like it you can always use the . Operator.

[jethrow]

I love auto concatenation myself ...

+1 - so annoying having to use a concatenation operator with other languages...

[isurface]

@Coco, @jethrow

In fact, there is also a concatenation in C language.
printf("%s\n", "123" "abc")
It will output: 123abc

However, printf("%s\n", str ("123")) will arises an error, if stris not a pointer to function. So I think AHK also can support space follow by function name. And the logic is very simple, when script gets a line as this: str ("123"), script knows what str is:
if (str is var)
{
treat str as var
}
else if(str is func or str doesn't define))
{
treat str as function
}

[lexikos]

Code: Select all

MsgBox (this is not a function call)

@isurface: That's not concatenation. It's a function call with a string containing format codes. Part of the library, not the language. It's also totally different to AutoHotkey's auto-concatenation.

[isurface]

Code: Select all

MsgBox (this is not a function call)

@isurface: That's not concatenation. It's a function call with a string containing format codes. Part of the library, not the language. It's also totally different to AutoHotkey's auto-concatenation.

Thanks, you correct my mistakes, MsgBox is indeed a counter example.

[lexikos]

I'm not sure what you mean by that. The example was not aimed at you, hence being written above "@isurface" rather than below it. I was simply showing another reason why x () is not a function call.

[isurface]

I means "printf("%s\n", "123" "abc") is not concatenation".

[just me]

Every programming language has syntax rules. One of AutoHotkey's is: When a function is defined, its parameters are listed in parentheses next to its name (there must be no spaces between its name and the open-parenthesis). If(True) is not a function call, because flow-control commands cannot be called as functions. That's it.

If you want this to be changed, you might place a change request in 'Wish List'.

BTW: Personally, I don't like the auto-concat feature, because I don't want that the script parser will imply what I 'm intending. Also, I'd prefer to get "Error: This line does not contain a recognized action." for things like If(Var). But it's just me.

[lexikos]

If(True) is not a function call, because flow-control commands cannot be called as functions.

Loop can't be called as a function, yet Loop(x) is a function call. So is Else().

The real reason is that there are exceptions for IF and WHILE, since it is common for users of other languages to habitually write if() or while(). Secondary reasons are that there's no plausible use for functions named if() or while(), and nothing else the user could be intending.