Classic vs. Modern Syntax (yes, again)

[Christopher Nagel]

I just wanted to cite some official source to clear up (add to?) the
confusion about the Objective C syntax alteration.  Note, however, that
although this quote is from the "Prelude Self Support Site", an offical
Apple document, its "officialness" doesn't invalidate the rumor that the
proposal is currently tabled.

Here is the quote:

One note: the current message expression syntax of Objective-C is based
on Smalltalk. This syntax is sometimes referred to as the classic
syntax. There is a proposal to create a modern syntax for message
expressions based on Java and C++, because of its greater familiarity.
This also is a step toward enabling developers to use either Java or
Objective-C to access the libraries. You should be aware as you study
Objective-C that the message expression syntax is likely to change in
the Rhapsody release to the modern syntax.

-from
http://devworld.apple.com/ngs/lpp/adrpub/docs/dev/prelude/teaching_yourself.html#path

Note that the "reason" given for this technical change is highly, well,
non-technical.

I would recommend that anyone concerned with this issue write a short
but well-written and friendly email to rhapsody-dev-feedback at apple.com
elucidating his/her concerns.  I think there is room for change, but I
would hope it'd be for more just reason than as a pap for the great
unwashed, and done with the good taste we've come to expect of NeXT.

Chris

PS: I'm trusting this mailer to wrap correctly. My apologies if
things don't turn out right...