Kevin: 1. That is how it works and for me syntax #2 looks more easier. 2. elsif is same one we use in perl. Ruby has more perl in it than python. It seems like you were a python programmer that's why. I am perl programmer that this is natural to me. Kevin Olemoh wrote: > Hello I have been using ruby off and on for a few months and I have been > having a great time with the language but a few things bother me about > the syntax of the language itself. The two glaring issues are: > > 1. The syntax errors generated by the following code: > > a.each > do > #stuff > end > > for reasons I do not understand ruby demands that, that line be written as: > a.each do > #stuff > end > > Quite frankly I find the second form to be more difficult to read > especially if one tends to create blocks with braces rather than the do > end keywords like I do. Is there some specific reason that both forms > are not supported by Ruby? It is needlessly restrictive with respect to > formatting in my opinion, perhaps a kind ruby-core developer could sneak > this syntax change into a future release? > > 2. What is with the elseif syntax specifically why is it elsif instead > of elseif when ruby already has an else keyword? I can't count how many > times I got errors because I decided to type elseif instead of elsif > while doing something with an if statement. I can name at least two > popular languages that use elseif not to mention the fact that if > English is your first language you will probably spell out else without > even realizing it since that is the correct way to spell the word in > English. Yes I know its a minor thing but if no one voices their > gripes how do people know something might need a bit of tweaking? :)