Add C++-like for loops (#353)

Add C++-like `for` loops - Omits `for (;;)` syntax for now. Co-authored-by: Dmitri Gribenko <gribozavr@gmail.com> Co-authored-by: Richard Smith <richard@metafoo.co.uk> Co-authored-by: austern <austern@google.com>
2026-10-05 22:02:55 +01:00 · 2021-05-14 15:38:45 -07:00
parent 82f5c4224b
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@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ request:
 -   [0301 - Principle: Errors are values](p0301.md)
 -   [0339 - `var` statement](p0339.md)
 -   [0340 - while loops](p0340.md)
+-   [0353 - `for` loops](p0353.md)
 -   [0415 - Syntax: `return`](p0415.md)
 -   [0426 - Governance & evolution revamp](p0426.md)
 -   [0444 - GitHub Discussions](p0444.md)
@@ -0,0 +1,357 @@
+# `for` loops
+
+<!--
+Part of the Carbon Language project, under the Apache License v2.0 with LLVM
+Exceptions. See /LICENSE for license information.
+SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
+-->
+
+[Pull request](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/pull/353)
+
+<!-- toc -->
+
+## Table of contents
+
+-   [Problem](#problem)
+-   [Background](#background)
+    -   [C++](#c)
+    -   [Java](#java)
+    -   [TypeScript and JavaScript](#typescript-and-javascript)
+    -   [Python, Swift, and Rust](#python-swift-and-rust)
+    -   [Go](#go)
+-   [Proposal](#proposal)
+-   [Details](#details)
+    -   [Range inputs](#range-inputs)
+    -   [Executable semantics form](#executable-semantics-form)
+-   [Caveats](#caveats)
+    -   [C++ as baseline](#c-as-baseline)
+    -   [Semisemi support](#semisemi-support)
+    -   [Range literals](#range-literals)
+    -   [Enumerating containers](#enumerating-containers)
+-   [Rationale based on Carbon's goals](#rationale-based-on-carbons-goals)
+-   [Alternatives considered](#alternatives-considered)
+    -   [Include semisemi `for` loops](#include-semisemi-for-loops)
+    -   [Writing `in` instead of `:`](#writing-in-instead-of-)
+    -   [Multi-variable bindings](#multi-variable-bindings)
+
+<!-- tocstop -->
+
+## Problem
+
+Control flow is documented at
+[language overview](/docs/design/README.md#control-flow). `for` loops are common
+in C++, and Carbon should consider providing some form of it.
+
+## Background
+
+### C++
+
+There are two forms of `for` loops in C++:
+
+-   **Semisemi** (semicolon, semicolon): `for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); ++i)`
+-   **Range-based**: `for (auto x : list)`
+
+Semisemi `for` loops have been around for a long time, and are in C. Range-based
+`for` loops were added in C++11.
+
+For example, here is a basic semisemi:
+
+```cc
+for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); ++i) {
+  printf("List at %d: %s\n", i, list[i].name);
+}
+```
+
+An equivalent semisemi using iterators and the comma operator may look like:
+
+```cc
+int i = 0;
+for (auto it = list.begin(); it != list.end(); ++it, ++i) {
+  printf("List at %d: %s\n", i, it->name);
+}
+```
+
+Range-based syntax can be simpler, but can also make it more difficult if there
+are multiple pieces of interesting information:
+
+```cc
+int i = 0;
+for (const auto& x : list) {
+  printf("List at %d: %s\n", i, x.name);
+  ++i;
+}
+```
+
+### Java
+
+Java provides equivalent syntax to C++. Although Java doesn't have a comma
+operator, it does provide for comma-separated statements in the first and third
+sections of semisemi for loops.
+
+### TypeScript and JavaScript
+
+Both TypeScript and JavaScript offer three kinds of for loops:
+
+-   Semisemi, mirroring C++.
+-   `for (x of list)`, mirroring range-based for loops.
+-   `for (x in list)`, returning indices.
+
+For example, here is an `in` loop:
+
+```javascript
+for (i in list) {
+    console.log('List at ' + i + ': ' + list[i].name);
+}
+```
+
+### Python, Swift, and Rust
+
+Python, Swift, and Rust all only support range-based for loops, using
+`for x in list` syntax.
+
+### Go
+
+Go uses `for` as its primary looping construct. It has:
+
+-   Semisemi, mirroring C++.
+-   `for i < list.size()` condition-only loops, mirroring C++ `while` loops.
+-   `for {` infinite loops.
+
+## Proposal
+
+Carbon should adopt C++-style range-based `for` loops syntax. Semisemi `for`
+loops should be addressed through a different mechanism.
+
+Related keywords are:
+
+-   `for`
+-   `continue`: continues with the next loop iteration.
+-   `break`: breaks out of the loop.
+
+## Details
+
+For loop syntax looks like: `for (` `var` _type_ _variable_ `:` _expression_
+`) {` _statements_ `}`
+
+Similar to the
+[if/else proposal](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/pull/285), the
+braces are optional and must be paired (`{ ... }`) if present. When there are no
+braces, only one statement is allowed.
+
+`continue` will continue with the next loop iteration directly, skipping any
+other statements in the loop body.
+
+`break` exits the loop immediately.
+
+All of this is consistent with C/C++ behavior.
+
+### Range inputs
+
+The syntax for inputs is not being defined in this proposal. However, we can
+still establish critical things to support:
+
+-   Interoperable C++ objects that work with C++'s range-based `for` loops, such
+    as containers with iterators.
+-   Carbon arrays and other containers.
+-   Range literals. These are not proposed, but for an example seen in other
+    languages, `0..2` may indicate the set of integers [0, 2).
+
+### Executable semantics form
+
+```bison
+%token FOR
+
+statement:
+  FOR "(" pattern ":" expression ")" statement
+| /* pre-existing statements elided */
+;
+```
+
+The `continue` and `break` statements are intended to be added as part of the
+[while proposal](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/pull/340).
+
+## Caveats
+
+### C++ as baseline
+
+This baseline syntax is based on C++, following the migration sub-goal
+[Familiarity for experienced C++ developers with a gentle learning curve](/docs/project/goals.md#interoperability-with-and-migration-from-existing-c-code).
+To the extent that this proposal anchors on a particular approach, it aims to
+anchor on C++'s existing syntax, consistent with that sub-goal.
+
+Alternatives will generally reflect breaking consistency with C++ syntax. While
+most proposals may consider alternatives more, this proposal suggests a
+threshold of only accepting alternatives that skew from C++ syntax if they are
+clearly better; the priority in this proposal is to _avoid debate_ and produce a
+trivial proposal. Where an alternative would trigger debate, it should be
+examined by an advocate in a separate proposal.
+
+### Semisemi support
+
+Carbon will not provide semisemi support. This decision will be contingent upon
+a better alternative loop structure which is not currently provided by `while`
+or `for` syntax. If Carbon doesn't evolve a better solution, semisemi support
+will be added later.
+
+For details, see [the alternative](#include-semisemi-for-loops).
+
+### Range literals
+
+Range literals are important to the ergonomics of range-based `for` loops, and
+should be added. However, they should be examined separately as part of limiting
+the scope of this proposal.
+
+### Enumerating containers
+
+Several languages have the concept of providing an index with the object in a
+range-based for loop:
+
+-   Python does `for i, item in enumerate(items)`, with a global function.
+-   Go does `for i, item := range items`, with a keyword.
+-   Swift does `for (i, item) in items.enumerated()`, having removed a
+    `enumerate()` global function.
+-   Rust does `for (i, item) in items.enumerate()`.
+
+An equivalent pattern for Carbon should be examined separately as part of
+limiting the scope of this proposal.
+
+## Rationale based on Carbon's goals
+
+Relevant goals are:
+
+-   [3. Code that is easy to read, understand, and write](/docs/project/goals.md#code-that-is-easy-to-read-understand-and-write):
+
+    -   Range-based `for` loops are easy to read and very helpful.
+    -   Semisemi `for` syntax is complex and can be error prone for cases where
+        range-based loops work. Avoiding it, even by providing equivalent syntax
+        with a different loop structure, should discourage its use and direct
+        engineers towards better options. The alternative syntax should also be
+        easier to understand than semisemi syntax, otherwise we should just keep
+        semisemi syntax.
+
+-   [7. Interoperability with and migration from existing C++ code](/docs/project/goals.md#interoperability-with-and-migration-from-existing-c-code):
+
+    -   Keeping syntax close to C++ will make it easier for developers to
+        transition.
+
+## Alternatives considered
+
+Both alternatives from the
+[`if`/`else` proposal](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/pull/285)
+apply to `while` as well: we could remove parentheses, require braces, or both.
+The conclusions mirror here in order to avoid a divergence in syntax.
+
+Additional alternatives follow.
+
+### Include semisemi `for` loops
+
+We could include semisemi for loops for greater consistency with C++.
+
+This is in part important because switching from a semisemi `for` loop to a
+`while` loop is not always straightforward due to how `for` evaluates the third
+section of the semisemi. The inter-loop evaluation of the third section is
+important given how it interacts with `continue`. In particular, consider the
+loops:
+
+```cc
+for (int i = 0; i < 3; ++i) {
+  if (i == 1) continue;
+  printf("%d\n", i);
+}
+
+int j = 0;
+while (j < 3) {
+  if (j == 1) continue;
+  printf("%d\n", j);
+  ++j;
+}
+
+int k = 0;
+while (k < 3) {
+  ++k;
+  if (k == 1) continue;
+  printf("%d\n", k);
+}
+
+int l = 0;
+while (l < 3) {
+  if (l == 1) {
+    ++l;
+    continue;
+  }
+  printf("%d\n", l);
+  ++l;
+}
+```
+
+To explain the differences between these loops:
+
+-   The first loop will print 0 and 2.
+-   The second loop will print 0, then loop infinitely because the increment is
+    never reached.
+-   The third loop will only print 2 because the increment happens too early.
+-   Only the fourth loop is equivalent to the first loop, and it duplicates the
+    increment.
+
+There is no easy place to put the increment in a `while` loop.
+
+Advantages:
+
+-   We need a plan for
+    [migrating both developers and code from C++](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/blob/trunk/docs/project/goals.md#interoperability-with-and-migration-from-existing-c-code)
+    semisemis `for` loops, and providing them in Carbon is the easiest solution.
+    -   Semisemis remain common in C++ code.
+-   Semisemis are much more flexible than range-based `for` loops.
+    -   `while` loops do not offer a sufficient alternative.
+
+Disadvantages:
+
+-   Semisemi loops can be error prone, such as `for (int i = 0; i < 3; --i)`.
+    -   Syntax such as `for (int x : range(0, 3))` leaves less room for
+        developer mistakes.
+    -   Removing semisemi syntax will likely improve
+        [understandability of Carbon code](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/blob/trunk/docs/project/goals.md#code-that-is-easy-to-read-understand-and-write),
+        a language goal.
+-   If we add semisemi loops, it would be very difficult to get rid of them.
+    -   Code using them should be expected to accumulate quickly, from both
+        migrated code and developers familiar with C++ idioms.
+
+If we want to remove `for` loops, we should avoid adding them. We do need to
+ensure that developers are _happy_ with the replacement, although that should be
+achievable through providing strong range support, including range literals.
+
+A story for migrating developers and code is still required. For developers, it
+would be ideal if we could have a compiler error that detects semisemi loops and
+advises the preferred Carbon constructs. For both developers and code, we need a
+suitable loop syntax that is easy to use in cases that remain hard to write in
+`while` or range-based `for` loops. This will depend on a separate proposal, but
+there's at least presently interest in this direction.
+
+### Writing `in` instead of `:`
+
+Range-based for loops could write `in` instead of `:`, such as:
+
+```carbon
+for (x in list) {
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+An argument for switching _now_, instead of using
+[C++ as a baseline](#c-as-baseline), would be that `var` syntax has been
+discussed as using a `:`, and avoiding `:` in range-based for loops may reduce
+syntax ambiguity risks. However, the
+[current `var` proposal](https://github.com/carbon-language/carbon-lang/pull/339)
+does not use a `:`, and so this risk is only a potential future concern: it's
+too early to require further evaluation.
+
+Because the benefits of this alternative are debatable and would diverge from
+C++, adopting `in` would run contrary to
+[using C++ as a baseline](#c-as-a-baseline). Any divergence should be justified
+and reviewed as a separate proposal.
+
+### Multi-variable bindings
+
+C++ allows `for (auto [x, y] : range_of_pairs)` which is not explicitly part of
+the syntax here. Carbon is likely to support this through tuples, so adding
+special `for` syntax for this would likely be redundant.