A better self

[Tom Loredo]

"Louis M. Pecora" wrote:
> 
> Many people have suggested doing something like the following (which is
> reasonable) to eliminate self. from mathematical expressions:
> 
>   t, x, y, z=self.t, self.x, self.y, self.z
>   result=sin(t)*x**y+sqrt(z)  # A pretend formula

Yes, this was suggested earlier.  I don't consider it a great solution
to the problem.  For example, in a current calculation I have a class
with many member variables and many member functions that use them
to return various quantities.  In a language that boasts of how
simple and straightforward it is, and how it shrinks code size (by
omitting braces, declarations, etc.), it is rather silly to have 
lines like:

   t, x, y, z=self.t, self.x, self.y, self.z

in every one of many member functions, often with the same variables.
You look at that code, with all those redundant lines of negligible
content, and it yells out to you:  something is missing here that
should make this silly copying unnecessary in order to have expressions
that are easy to read/understand.

The language is so great in other respects, and on a fundamental level
the arguments for "self." are so sound, that I just live with this.
But it sure is a nuisance.

-Tom Loredo