> Third, there is no doubt about the objective fact that Ruby code that
> removes optional "end" keywords will be shorter, and I think practically
> everyone agrees in principle with the idea that terseness is a virtue unl=
ess
> there is some specific reason for being redundant.

No, I don't agree.

> Fourth, I thought the point was quite persuasive that Ruby also allows
> semicolons to be entirely optional except in those specific cases on the
> same line where they are needed. =C2=A0This behavior and philosophy is ex=
actly
> analogous to the current proposal. =C2=A0You could put a semicolon at the=
 end of
> every line in Ruby right now, but no one does. =C2=A0Why not? =C2=A0Becau=
se they are
> redundant, because they are visual noise.

Tracking newlines is easy, tracking indentation is not.

> Having said that, I think the main problem boils down to aesthetics.

No. It boils down to the mess this introduces.
There is Python for those who want Python.

> However, I think from the viewpoint of people who do
> not like significant whitespace, the problem is that they know that if th=
e
> proposal were adopted, sooner or later they will encounter code that is
> formatted in this way, and they will then be "forced" to deal with code t=
hey
> find unpleasant. =C2=A0In other words, someone will be forced to deal wit=
h code
> they find difficult to work with, and those who prefer "end," quite
> naturally, do not want to have to be the ones to deal with this.

That's correct.

> I think in reality, the imposition on those who prefer "end" will be mino=
r.

I think otherwise.

> I don't have an answer to this aesthetic problem, and I don't think one i=
s
> possible, since taste is taste and one cannot be argued out of their
> preferences. =C2=A0However, i would say that allowing people to do things=
 in
> different ways is part of the spirit and philosophy of Ruby.

Yes, please. there are whole languages for that.

> =C2=A0It's hard to understand why Ruby would allow semicolons to be optio=
nal but
> not "end" keywords.

It is very easy to understand.

Regards,
Rimantas
--
http://rimantas.com/