Name: boT120536 Date: 06/03/2001


java version "1.4.0-beta"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.0-beta-b65)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.0-beta-b65, mixed mode)

Pascal has a helpful statement: the "with" statement. It not only saves some
typing, but also, IMHO, makes things look a bit neater as well (and reduces
redundancy).

Let's say we have a class called "Bicycle" with an instance named "myBike".

Example in Pascal:

     with myBike do
          axleLength = 12;
          wheelCount = 2;
          playingCardsOnWheels = true;
     end

is equivalent to:

     myBike.axleLength = 12;
     myBike.wheelCount = 2;
     myBike.playingCardsOnWheels = true;

I would love to see a similar construct in Java. Here is a proposed example:

     with(myBike) {
          setAxleLength(12);
          setWheelCount(2);
          setPlayingCardsOnWheels(true);
     }

Basically, for the duration of the "with" block, "this" would point to "myBike"
and not the class one was actually in. This does bring up the interesting
thought: how would one access the previous "this"? Any thoughts?

Thanks!
(Review ID: 125328)
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