Discussion on: Write a function that shows off something unique or interesting about the language you're using

[Sung M. Kim]

JavaScript lets you swap variables without a temporary variable.

$ node
> let a = 1, b = 999
undefined
> [b, a] = [a, b]
[ 1, 999 ]
> a
999
> b
1

[Dave Cridland]

So does C:

int a = 1, b = 999;
a ^= b;
b ^= a;
a ^= b;

OK, so this is specific to numeric values, actually, but it comes in handy in cryptographic code for constant time conditional swaps and things.

[Sung M. Kim]

Thanks Dave.
There is no end to learning.
I feel humbled :)

[rhymes]

Same in Python

>>> [a, b] = [1, 999]
>>> a, b
(1, 999)
>>> [b, a] = [a, b]
>>> a, b
(999, 1)

[Sung M. Kim]

Python has been on my mind lately. That's yet another good reason ;p