The colon is required primarily to enhance readability (one of the results of the experimental ABC language). Consider this:

if a==b
    print a

versus

if a==b:
    print a

Notice how the second one is slightly easier to read. Notice further how a colon sets off the example in the second line of this FAQ answer; it's a standard usage in English.

Another minor reason is that the colon makes it easier for editors with syntax highlighting; they can look for colons to decide when indentation needs to be increased instead of having to do a more elaborate parsing of the program text.

CATEGORY: general

last updated 2 years ago by effbot #