Ref documenation point of clarity
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
If I was going to add a word there, it would be "arguments," not "parameters." -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com
David Abrahams wrote:
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
If I was going to add a word there, it would be "arguments," not "parameters."
I have never seen a good explanation of the difference between "parameters" or "arguments" when passing data to functions, but "arguments" seems equally as good. I just felt that the term "references to generic functions" does sound confusing since references must refer to something and the terminology makes it sound like it refers to generic functions rather than the types of data one passes to generic functions.
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
David Abrahams wrote:
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
If I was going to add a word there, it would be "arguments," not "parameters."
I have never seen a good explanation of the difference between "parameters" or "arguments" when passing data to functions, but "arguments" seems equally as good. I just felt that the term "references to generic functions" does sound confusing since references must refer to something and the terminology makes it sound like it refers to generic functions rather than the types of data one passes to generic functions.
Arguments are the actual things passed in. Parameters are the names for those things on the inside. FWIW, I only learned the distinction last year. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com
I have never seen a good explanation of the difference between "parameters" or "arguments" when passing data to functions, but "arguments" seems equally as good. I just felt that the term "references to generic functions" does sound confusing since references must refer to something and the terminology makes it sound like it refers to generic functions rather than the types of data one passes to generic functions.
Alwais keep in mind following: parameter comes from term "formal parameter" argument comes from term "actual argument" Gennadiy
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
David Abrahams wrote:
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
If I was going to add a word there, it would be "arguments," not "parameters."
I have never seen a good explanation of the difference between "parameters" or "arguments" when passing data to functions, but "arguments" seems equally as good. I just felt that the term "references to generic functions" does sound confusing since references must refer to something and the terminology makes it sound like it refers to generic functions rather than the types of data one passes to generic functions.
FYI, I no longer understand where the source for those docs are, so someone else will have to make the change. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting http://www.boost-consulting.com
David Abrahams wrote:
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
David Abrahams wrote:
"Edward Diener" <eddielee@tropicsoft.com> writes:
This may be seen as a nitpick by I think the generalized one-line explanation for 'ref', as well as the text in the 'ref' introduction should say "passing reference parameters to generic functions" rather than "passing references to generic functions".
If I was going to add a word there, it would be "arguments," not "parameters."
I have never seen a good explanation of the difference between "parameters" or "arguments" when passing data to functions, but "arguments" seems equally as good. I just felt that the term "references to generic functions" does sound confusing since references must refer to something and the terminology makes it sound like it refers to generic functions rather than the types of data one passes to generic functions.
FYI, I no longer understand where the source for those docs are, so someone else will have to make the change.
I can not do it since I am not allowed so hopefully someone else will pick it up.
participants (3)
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David Abrahams -
Edward Diener -
Gennadiy Rozental