Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I agree with your general point, but I don't really see how omitting those parentheses invites ambiguity.

def reply_to_post text

end

What could anyone imagine text to be in this context aside from an argument? I get that using parentheses is more familiar coming from languages with C syntax, but I see no other rationale. I've never worked with anyone who stumbled over this. It's always just: 'oh cool, I didn't realize you could omit parentheses there.'



It just doesn't scan well. It's quite easy to misread this as reply_to_post_text, for example.


I may have been thinking of a edge case in CoffeeScript when I wrote that, but you're right.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: