Re: extended "colon notation" [feedback needed]

[Chris Dean <ctdean at sokitomi dot com>]

> (2) To cast a value to a type:
>
> (TYPE:<- VALUE)
>    ;; same as (as VALUE TYPE)
> The <- is meant to be like the arrows in say number->string, but
> backwards, since the target TYPE is mentioned first.  It's a bit ugly,
> so alternative syntax would be welcome.

This is a tough one.  If we end up with (TYPE:? x) then there is a
certain symmetry to (TYPE:<- x).  It's difficult to think of a good
keyword that someone might reasonably choose as a method name.

If I'm forced to, I'd vote for (TYPE:instanceof? x) and (TYPE:<- x)
even if it is not symmetric.

Regards,
Chris Dean