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> It's kind of sad that "for" is the keyword programming languages settled on for the loop construct. Many languages only use `for` to mean a for-each style lo

> It's kind of sad that "for" is the keyword programming languages settled on for the loop construct. Many languages only use `for` to mean a for-each style loop where it reads quite naturally: Python - `for n in range(1,10)` Ruby - `for i in 0..10` Rust - `for n in 1..10` (also picked up the bare `loop`) Others support for-each style loops along with the less than ideal C-style for loop: JavaScript - `for (n of [1,2,3])` (second attempt, for-in has too many gotchas.) Java - `for (int n : {1,2,3})` Otherwise I agree that `while` reads far more naturally. I guess they must have wanted to minimize the number keywords in Go.

UIZealot 6y ago
It's only natural if you already know that a for-statement is a loop. "while" is no better without the "do".
- stevewodil 6y ago
  And if statements need a corresponding "then" to make sense as well right? Your whole argument is nonsensical. Coding isn't English Write a new language and you can name everything exactly how you please, if enough people care then they will adopt the language.
saghm 6y ago
Interestingly, the more common way to write that in Ruby would be `(1..10).each { |i| ... }`, or (in the case of needing a multi-line block): ``` (1..10).each do |i| ... end ``` "do" does end up getting used, but only as syntax for a "block" (similar to what other languages would call a lambda). Ruby also has a shorthand for when you want to do something `n` times without caring about the iteration number: ``` 10.times do ... end ``` One final note is that loop you wrote above is actually different in Ruby than it is for Python and Rust; `x..y` is an inclusive range in Ruby, whereas `range(x, y)` in Python and `x..y` in Rust are exclusive on the right side. I think you might have realized that since you used different starting values for the other two, but you got it backwards; the Python and Rust loops will loop only nine times, whereas the Ruby one will loop 11 times. Ruby does have a syntax for exclusive ranges though; `x...y` is an inclusive range from `x` to `y - 1`. Similarly, in Rust, `x..=y` gives an inclusive range from `x` to `y`. I don't know of any way to do an inclusive range in Python other than manually, but someone with more Python knowledge might be able to provide something for that.
- laurencerowe 6y ago
  It's been years since I last wrote Ruby so had completely forgotten that it's ranges were inclusive by default.
- Lammy 6y ago
  You can kinda use `do` for looping with a Block and Kernel#loop :v https://ruby-doc.org/core-2.7.1/Kernel.html#method-i-loop https://ruby-doc.org/core-2.7.1/Kernel.html#method-i-loop

UIZealot 6y ago

It's only natural if you already know that a for-statement is a loop. "while" is no better without the "do".

stevewodil 6y ago
And if statements need a corresponding "then" to make sense as well right? Your whole argument is nonsensical. Coding isn't English Write a new language and you can name everything exactly how you please, if enough people care then they will adopt the language.

saghm 6y ago

Interestingly, the more common way to write that in Ruby would be `(1..10).each { |i| ... }`, or (in the case of needing a multi-line block): ``` (1..10).each do |i| ... end ``` "do" does end up getting used, but only as syntax for a "block" (similar to what other languages would call a lambda). Ruby also has a shorthand for when you want to do something `n` times without caring about the iteration number: ``` 10.times do ... end ``` One final note is that loop you wrote above is actually different in Ruby than it is for Python and Rust; `x..y` is an inclusive range in Ruby, whereas `range(x, y)` in Python and `x..y` in Rust are exclusive on the right side. I think you might have realized that since you used different starting values for the other two, but you got it backwards; the Python and Rust loops will loop only nine times, whereas the Ruby one will loop 11 times. Ruby does have a syntax for exclusive ranges though; `x...y` is an inclusive range from `x` to `y - 1`. Similarly, in Rust, `x..=y` gives an inclusive range from `x` to `y`. I don't know of any way to do an inclusive range in Python other than manually, but someone with more Python knowledge might be able to provide something for that.

laurencerowe 6y ago
It's been years since I last wrote Ruby so had completely forgotten that it's ranges were inclusive by default.
Lammy 6y ago
You can kinda use `do` for looping with a Block and Kernel#loop :v https://ruby-doc.org/core-2.7.1/Kernel.html#method-i-loop https://ruby-doc.org/core-2.7.1/Kernel.html#method-i-loop