[REBOL] Re: [to vs to-] to block! vs to-block
From: greggirwin::mindspring::com at: 19-Nov-2004 10:43
Hi Peter,
PWW> Having only "to" would increase the size of scripts but it would also
PWW> reduce the size of Rebol, perhaps a worthwhile trade-off?
In this case, as in many others, the speed hit is due to the extra
level of indirection/abstraction from the wrapper mezzanines. The size
difference is minimal here, but I think the to-* functions could exist
for other reasons.
1) Simplicity. You only have one arg to pass them.
2) TO is a very common word, and may be used in many different
contexts (e.g. a range FROM a TO b, as a refinement in a function,
etc. The to-* functions mean you don't have to use system/words/to
in those cases.
I think the size is probably minimal in the end (highly redundant
source that is compressed).
Only Carl can really say why they exist though.
-- Gregg