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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author refuses to implement ‘next $label’ because it would require also allowing ‘goto $label’, which he believes users don’t want.
In plain terms
Adding ‘next $label’ would force us to add ‘goto $label’, which isn’t desired.
What can you take from it?
Avoid language features that open doors to undesirable constructs.

Where it applies

  • language design discussions
  • feature proposals

Putting it to work

  • evaluate downstream implications before adding syntax
  • consult user community

Questions to consider

  • How to balance safety and flexibility?
  • What criteria decide feature inclusion?

Another view

Restricting features may limit flexibility for some advanced users.

More from Larry Wall

  1. Hey, I had to let awk be better at *something*... :-)

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. In general, if you think something isn't in Perl, try it out, because it usually is. :-)

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. Besides, it's good to force C programmers to use the toolbox occasionally. :-)

    Permalink to quote #30

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