I currently writing a code which looks like:

a := some numeric expression + (someBoolean ifTrue: [1] ifFalse: [0]).

And i get somewhat tired repeating the same pattern in multiple places. So, i thinking , maybe #asBit convenience method could be useful?

True>>asBit  ^ 1 False>>asBit  ^ 0

so, then, in case of need like above, we could write much shorter expressions: a := some numeric expression + someBoolean asBit.

And its much less error prone comparing to #ifTrue:ifFalse:, since i found its relatively easy to make a mess (swapping 1 with 0), especially, when you having negations in expression, because once you see:

(someBoolean not ifTrue: [1] ifFalse: [0])

you always tempted to write it as:

(someBoolean ifTrue: [0] ifFalse: [1]).

or as:

(someBoolean ifFalse: [1] ifTrue: [0]).

but once you start playing with it, its very easy to shoot into own feet if you are not careful.

But if we could add #asBit, then we could write:

someBoolean not asBit

which is much more: a) concise & cleaner b) error proof

-- Best regards, Igor Stasenko AKA sig.

I use "someBoolean card" for this where card stands for cardinality. The cardinality of false is 0 and of true is 1. Method "card" can also be used for other classes of object that have cardinal values associated with them. Regards, Ralph Boland -- Volume * Density = Mass. Volume / Density = Intelligence. The latter equation explains the essentially equal intelligence of men and woman and the capabilities of some commonly used operating systems.