Scope of Change

A compact syntax for simple methods will be introduced

Rationale

Slightly less return $this.member; typing - especially in value objects.

Functionality

The -> expression; notation is used as a shorthand for { return expression; }.

public class Person {
  protected string $name;

  public string getName() -> $this.name;
}

// Equivalent of
public class Person {
  protected string $name;

  public string getName() {
    return $this.name;
  }
}

Combined with the compact assignment syntax described in RFC #240 and the fluent interface shorthand in RFC #252 we can now write value object as follows:

public class Person {
  protected string $name;

  public __construct($this.name= null) { }
  public void setName($this.name) { }
  public this withName($this.name) { }
  public string getName() -> $this.name;
}

Security considerations

n/a

Speed impact

None, resolved during compile time.

Dependencies

n/a

Related documents

• Dart's "=> e; shorthand"
• RFC Compact assignment syntax #240 - Compact assignment syntax
• XP Language's anonymous functions use this (slightly different, e.g. in return #{ $a -> $a + 1 }.(2); // 3 it separates the arguments from the body, but this still has chances for recognition).