[mapreduce]

> What problems is it solving that require the confusion that it generates?

I think I answered that already. It keeps the language spec consistent and simpler.

Imagine the complexity you have to add to the language spec to say that when we write [] we deal with the reference to this list except in the multiplication syntax a = [[]] * 5 where the inner [] is not a reference to the list but the list value! Such special case will make the language both inconsistent and harder to understand for experienced programmers.

[bmitc]

I'm asking what makes introducing the multiplication syntax worth it in the first place.

[mapreduce]

Ah! Misunderstood your original comment. My apologies! Yes, I am with you when you question the usefulness of the multiplication syntax.

I prefer simplicity and consistency in a programming language grammar, syntax and semantics as I advocated above. So yes I'd be happy to lose that multiplication syntax. It is not worth it.