I just started with a fresh look at the D language and would like to be able to rewrite this code:

Into more readable standard library name:

Or into this

Or into this:

These were the examples that might feel more readable and natural than simply a three letter junction:

What do you think?

On Sunday, 4 July 2021 at 07:40:44 UTC, BoQsc wrote:

You can use named imports, but then you have to use the name as a namespace:

import system = std;
void main()
{
    system.writeln("Hello D");
}

If you're worried about the readability of std by itself, don't use it by itself. Import the specific modules you want:

import std.algorithm, std.range, std.stdio;

or whatever. It's a non-issue, IMO. It's not like anyone using D doesn't know what std is.

On Sunday, 4 July 2021 at 08:50:54 UTC, Mike Parker wrote:

import system = std;
void main()
{
    system.writeln("Hello D");
}

import std.algorithm, std.range, std.stdio;

Thank you for showing the alternative.

It's not about knowing or not knowing, it's about the reading flow and ease on the thinking.
For me, it's always better to have things spelled correctly. Constant abbrevations do feel unnatural to me, even if I'm familiar of the complexity behind it.

Anyways, even if it is possible as you shown. I'm feeling like it's still non standard way and might confuse people when the whole D code base with community is about importing std library directly. But I'm glad I won't have to think about this problem anymore and that's important to have less important questions answered for more important things to accomplish.

On Sunday, 4 July 2021 at 07:40:44 UTC, BoQsc wrote:

That is easy, just define the system module and publicly import std:

--- test.d

import system;
void main()
{
    writeln("Hello D");
}

--- system.d

module system;
public import std;

But like Mike, I advise against this. It will confuse every D programmer that is trying to read your code. What is most natural depends heavily on your background and what language you are coming from. std is perfectly natural if you're coming from C++.

Fun fact (but equally ill advised): You can hide the entire import from view like this:

void main()
{
    writeln("Hello D");
}

/* Lean on Enter for a while */

import std;

-- Bastiaan.