From 6d11354b3f7226a9a417ae89f53de7a225434647 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bruce Hill <bitbucket@bruce-hill.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2018 19:22:20 -0800
Subject: [PATCH] Added implicit local declarations and new syntax of %var <-
 %value.

---
 lib/class.nom           |   9 +-
 lib/collections.nom     |   6 +-
 lib/control_flow.nom    | 458 +++++++++++++++++++++-------------------
 lib/metaprogramming.nom |  22 +-
 lib/operators.nom       | 154 ++++++++------
 nomsu.lua               |  78 +++++--
 nomsu.moon              |  51 +++--
 7 files changed, 442 insertions(+), 336 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/class.nom b/lib/class.nom
index 06f55d8..b871798 100644
--- a/lib/class.nom
+++ b/lib/class.nom
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ compile [@%var] to
         end
         return "_me["..key_lua.."]";
 
-compile [set @%var = %val] to code
+compile [@%var <- %val] to code
     lua> ".."
         local val_lua = \(%val as lua);
         local key_lua = repr(\%var.value);
@@ -26,11 +26,10 @@ compile [set @%var = %val] to code
         return "_me["..key_lua.."] = "..val_lua..";";
 
 compile [object %classname %class_body] to
-    local [%methods, %class_identifier]
-    set %class_identifier = (=lua "nomsu:var_to_lua_identifier(\(%classname as value)):sub(2,-1)")
+    %class_identifier <- (=lua "nomsu:var_to_lua_identifier(\(%classname as value)):sub(2,-1)")
     if: %class_identifier is ""
-        set %class_identifier = "class"
-    set %methods = []
+        %class_identifier <- "class"
+    %methods <- []
     for %line in (%class_body's "value")
         if: (%line's "type") is "Comment"
             do next %line
diff --git a/lib/collections.nom b/lib/collections.nom
index 90bd08c..10dae75 100644
--- a/lib/collections.nom
+++ b/lib/collections.nom
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use "lib/operators.nom"
 # Indexing
 parse [..]
     %index st in %list, %index nd in %list, %index rd in %list
-    %index th in %list, %index in %list
+    %index th in %list
 ..as: %list -> %index
 compile [..]
     %index st to last in %list, %index nd to last in %list, %index rd to last in %list
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ compile [length of %list, size of %list, size %list, number of %list, len %list]
 compile [%list ->* %indices] to
     assume ((%indices's "type") is "List") or barf ".."
         Expected List for chained lookup, not \(%indices's "type")
-    set %ret = "\(%list as lua)"
+    %ret <- "\(%list as lua)"
     for %index in (%indices's "value")
         %ret join= "[\(%index as lua)]"
     return "\%ret"
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ compile [remove index %index from %list] to
 
 
 action [flatten %lists]
-    set %flat = []
+    %flat <- []
     for %list in %lists
         for %item in %list
             add %item to %flat
diff --git a/lib/control_flow.nom b/lib/control_flow.nom
index b05862c..7347a29 100644
--- a/lib/control_flow.nom
+++ b/lib/control_flow.nom
@@ -40,10 +40,9 @@ immediately
         %when_false_expr unless %condition else %when_true_expr
         %when_false_expr unless %condition then %when_true_expr
     ..to
-        local %safe
         #.. If %when_true_expr is guaranteed to be truthy, we can use Lua's idiomatic
             equivalent of a conditional expression: (cond and if_true or if_false)
-        if: {Text:yes, List:yes, Dict:yes, Number:yes}->(%when_true_expr's "type")
+        if: (%when_true_expr's "type") in {Text:yes, List:yes, Dict:yes, Number:yes}
             return "(\(%condition as lua) and \(%when_true_expr as lua) or \(%when_false_expr as lua))"
         ..else
             #.. Otherwise, need to do an anonymous inline function (yuck, too bad lua 
@@ -58,9 +57,10 @@ immediately
                     end
                 end)()
 
+
 # GOTOs
 immediately
-    compile [-> %label] to code ".."
+    compile [=== %label ===, --- %label ---] to code ".."
         ::label_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%label])::;
     compile [go to %label] to code ".."
         goto label_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%label]);
@@ -72,46 +72,77 @@ immediately
 
 # Helper function
 immediately
-    action [tree %tree has function call %call]
-        lua> ".."
-            local target = (\%call).stub;
-            for subtree,depth in coroutine.wrap(function() nomsu:walk_tree(\%tree); end) do
-                if type(subtree) == 'table' and subtree.type == "FunctionCall"
-                and subtree.stub == target then
-                    return true;
+    compile [for subtree %subtree where %condition in %tree %body] to code ".."
+        for \(%subtree as lua) in coroutine.wrap(function() nomsu:walk_tree(\(%tree as lua)) end) do
+            if type(\(%subtree as lua)) == 'table' and \(%subtree as lua).type then
+                if \(%condition as lua) then
+                    \(%body as lua statements)
                 end
             end
-            return false;
+        end
 
 # While loops
 immediately
-    compile [do next repeat-loop] to code "goto continue_repeat;"
-    compile [stop repeat-loop] to code "goto stop_repeat;"
+    compile [do next repetition] to code "goto continue_repeat;"
+    compile [stop repeating] to code "goto stop_repeat;"
     compile [repeat while %condition %body] to code
-        set %continue_labels =
-            "\n::continue_repeat::;"
-            ..if (tree %body has function call \(do next repeat-loop)) else ""
-        set %code = ".."
+        %continue_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and ((%'s "stub") == "do next repetition")
+        ..in %body
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+            stop
+        %code <- ".."
             while \(%condition as lua) do
             \(%body as lua statements)\
             ..\%continue_labels
             end --while-loop
-        if: tree %body has function call \(stop repeat-loop)
-            return ".."
-                do --while-loop label scope
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and ((%'s "stub") == "stop repeating")
+        ..in %body
+            %code <- ".."
+                do -- scope of "stop repeating" label
                 \%code
                 ::stop_repeat::;
-                end --while-loop label scope
+                end -- end of "stop repeating" label scope
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+            stop
         return %code
     parse [repeat %body] as: repeat while (yes) %body
     parse [repeat until %condition %body] as: repeat while (not %condition) %body
 
+    compile [..]
+        repeat %n times %body
+    ..to code
+        %continue_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and ((%'s "stub") == "do next repetition")
+        ..in %body
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+            stop
+        # This trashes the loop variables, just like in Python.
+        %code <- ".."
+            for i=1,\(%n as lua) do
+            \(%body as lua statements)\
+            ..\%continue_labels
+            end --numeric for-loop
+        %stop_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and ((%'s "stub") == "stop repeating")
+        ..in %body
+            %code <- ".."
+                do -- scope of "stop repeating" label
+                \%code
+                ::stop_repeat::;
+                end -- end of "stop repeating" label scope
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_repeat::;"
+            stop
+        return %code
+
 # For loop control flow:
 immediately
-    compile [stop for-loop] to code "goto stop_for;"
     compile [stop %var] to code ".."
         goto stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var]);
-    compile [do next for-loop] to code "goto continue_for;"
     compile [do next %var] to code ".."
         goto continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var]);
 
@@ -121,37 +152,42 @@ immediately
         for %var from %start to %stop by %step %body
         for %var from %start to %stop via %step %body
     ..to code
-        local [%continue_labels, %code, %stop_labels, %loop_var, %loop_var_shim]
-        set %continue_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(do next for-loop)
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(do next %) with {"":%var})
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
+        %continue_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "do next %") and 
+                    ((3rd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%var's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
+            stop
+
         if: (%var's "type") is "Var"
-            set %loop_var = (%var as lua)
-            set %loop_var_shim = ""
+            %loop_var <- (%var as lua)
+            %loop_var_shim <- ""
         ..else
-            set %loop_var = "i"
-            set %loop_var_shim = "\n\(%var as lua) = i;"
+            %loop_var <- "i"
+            %loop_var_shim <- "\n\(%var as lua) = i;"
         # This trashes the loop variables, just like in Python.
-        set %code = ".."
+        %code <- ".."
             for \(%loop_var)=\(%start as lua),\(%stop as lua),\(%step as lua) do\
             ..\%loop_var_shim
             \(%body as lua statements)\
             ..\%continue_labels
             end --numeric for-loop
-        set %stop_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(stop for-loop)
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(stop %) with {"":%var})
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
-        return
-            ".."
-                do --for-loop label scope
-                \%code\
-                ..\%stop_labels
-                end --for-loop label scope
-            ..if (%stop_labels is not "") else %code
+
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "stop %") and
+                    ((2nd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%var's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            %code <- ".."
+                do -- scope for stopping for-loop
+                    \%code
+                    ::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;
+                end -- end of scope for stopping for-loop
+            stop
+
+        return %code
 
 immediately
     parse [for %var from %start to %stop %body] as: for %var from %start to %stop via 1 %body
@@ -161,207 +197,209 @@ immediately
     ..as: for % from %start to %stop via %step %body
     parse [for all %start to %stop %body] as: for all %start to %stop via 1 %body
 
+# For-each loop
 immediately
     compile [for %var in %iterable %body] to code
-        local [%continue_labels, %code, %stop_labels, %loop_var, %loop_var_shim]
-        set %continue_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(do next for-loop)
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(do next %) with {"":%var})
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
+        %continue_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "do next %") and
+                    ((3rd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%var's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            %continue_labels <- "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
+            stop
         if: (%var's "type") is "Var"
-            set %loop_var = (%var as lua)
-            set %loop_var_shim = ""
+            %loop_var <- (%var as lua)
+            %loop_var_shim <- ""
         ..else
-            set %loop_var = "value"
-            set %loop_var_shim = "\n\(%var as lua) = value;"
+            %loop_var <- "value"
+            %loop_var_shim <- "\n\(%var as lua) = value;"
         # This trashes the loop variables, just like in Python.
-        set %code = ".."
+        %code <- ".."
             for i,\%loop_var in ipairs(\(%iterable as lua)) do\
             ..\%loop_var_shim
             \(%body as lua statements)\
             ..\%continue_labels
             end --foreach-loop
-        set %stop_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(stop for-loop)
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(stop %) with {"":%var})
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;"
-        if: %stop_labels is not ""
-            set %code = ".."
-                do --for-loop label scope
-                \%code\%stop_labels
-                end --for-loop label scope
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "stop %") and
+                    ((2nd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%var's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            %code <- ".."
+                do -- scope for stopping for-loop
+                    \%code
+                    ::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%var])::;
+                end -- end of scope for stopping for-loop
+            stop
         return %code
     parse [for all %iterable %body] as: for % in %iterable %body
 
-immediately
-    compile [..]
-        repeat %n times %body, repeat %n x %body
-    ..to code
-        local [%continue_labels, %code, %stop_labels]
-        set %continue_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(do next repeat-loop)
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_repeat::;"
-        # This trashes the loop variables, just like in Python.
-        set %code = ".."
-            for i=1,\(%n as lua) do
-            \(%body as lua statements)\
-            ..\%continue_labels
-            end --numeric for-loop
-        set %stop_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(stop repeat-loop)
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_repeat::;"
-        return
-            ".."
-                do --repeat-loop label scope
-                \%code\
-                ..\%stop_labels
-                end --repeat-loop label scope
-            ..if (%stop_labels is not "") else %code
-
 # Dict iteration (lua's "pairs()")
 immediately
     compile [for %key = %value in %iterable %body] to code
-        local [..]
-            %continue_labels, %code, %stop_labels, %key_loop_var, %key_loop_var_shim,
-            %value_loop_var, %value_loop_var_shim
-        set %continue_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(do next for-loop)
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(do next %) with {"":%key})
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%key])::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(do next %) with {"":%value})
-            %continue_labels join= "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%value])::;"
+        %continue_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "do next %") and
+                    ((3rd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%key's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            <- %continue_labels + "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%key])::;"
+            stop
+
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "do next %") and
+                    ((3rd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%value's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            <- %continue_labels + "\n::continue_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%value])::;"
+            stop
+
         if: (%key's "type") is "Var"
-            set %key_loop_var = (%key as lua)
-            set %key_loop_var_shim = ""
+            %key_loop_var <- (%key as lua)
+            %key_loop_var_shim <- ""
         ..else
-            set %key_loop_var = "key"
-            set %key_loop_var_shim = "\n\(%key as lua) = key;"
+            %key_loop_var <- "key"
+            %key_loop_var_shim <- "\n\(%key as lua) = key;"
         if: (%value's "type") is "Var"
-            set %value_loop_var = (%value as lua)
-            set %value_loop_var_shim = ""
+            %value_loop_var <- (%value as lua)
+            %value_loop_var_shim <- ""
         ..else
-            set %value_loop_var = "value"
-            set %value_loop_var_shim = "\n\(%value as lua) = value;"
+            %value_loop_var <- "value"
+            %value_loop_var_shim <- "\n\(%value as lua) = value;"
         # This trashes the loop variables, just like in Python.
-        set %code = ".."
+        %code <- ".."
             for \%key_loop_var,\%value_loop_var in pairs(\(%iterable as lua)) do\
             ..\%key_loop_var_shim\%value_loop_var_shim
             \(%body as lua statements)\
             ..\%continue_labels
             end --foreach-loop
-        set %stop_labels = ""
-        if: tree %body has function call \(stop for-loop)
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_for::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(stop %) with {"":%key})
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%key])::;"
-        if: tree %body has function call (tree \(stop %) with {"":%value})
-            %stop_labels join= "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%value])::;"
-        return
-            ".."
-                do --for-loop label scope
-                \%code\
-                ..\%stop_labels
-                end --for-loop label scope
-            ..if (%stop_labels is not "") else %code
+        %stop_labels <- ""
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "stop %") and
+                    ((2nd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%key's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            <- %stop_labels + "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%key])::;"
+            stop
+
+        for subtree % where
+            ((%'s "type") = "FunctionCall") and
+                ((%'s "stub") == "stop %") and
+                    ((2nd in (%'s "value"))'s "src") == (%value's "src")
+        ..in %body
+            <- %stop_labels + "\n::stop_\(nomsu "var_to_lua_identifier" [%value])::;"
+            stop
+
+        if: %stop_labels is not ""
+            %code <- ".."
+                do -- scope for stopping for % = % loop
+                    \%code\%stop_labels
+                end
+        return %code
 
 # Switch statement/multi-branch if
 immediately
     compile [when %body] to code
-        local [%result, %fallthroughs, %first]
-        set %result = ""
-        set %fallthroughs = []
-        set %first = (yes)
+        %result <- ""
+        %fallthroughs <- []
+        %is_first <- (yes)
         for %func_call in (%body's "value")
-            local [%tokens, %star, %condition, %action]
             assume ((%func_call's "type") is "FunctionCall") or barf ".."
                 Invalid format for 'when' statement. Only '*' blocks are allowed.
-            set %tokens = (%func_call's "value")
-            set %star = (%tokens -> 1)
-            assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
-                Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
+            with [..]
+                %tokens <- (%func_call's "value")
+                %star <- (1st in %tokens)
+                %condition <- (2nd in %tokens)
+                %action <- (3rd in %tokens)
+            ..
+                assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
+                    Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
+                assume %condition or barf ".."
+                    Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
+                if: %action is (nil)
+                    lua do> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \%condition)"
+                    do next %func_call
 
-            set %condition = (%tokens -> 2)
-            assume %condition or barf ".."
-                Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
+                if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
 
-            set %action = (%tokens -> 3)
-            if: %action is (nil)
-                lua do> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \%condition)"
-                do next %func_call
+                    <- %result + ".."
+                        
+                        else
+                        \(%action as lua statements)
+                    stop
+                ..else
+                    %condition <- (%condition as lua)
+                    for all %fallthroughs
+                        <- %condition + " or \(% as lua)"
+                    <- %result + ".."
+                        
+                        \("if" if %is_first else "elseif") \%condition then
+                        \(%action as lua statements)
 
-            if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
-                %result join= ".."
-                    
-                    else
-                    \(%action as lua statements)
-                stop for-loop
-            ..else
-                set %condition = (%condition as lua)
-                for all %fallthroughs
-                    %condition join= " or \(% as lua)"
-                %result join= ".."
-                    
-                    \("if" if %first else "elseif") \%condition then
-                    \(%action as lua statements)
-
-            set %fallthroughs = []
-            set %first = (no)
+                %fallthroughs <- []
+                %is_first <- (no)
 
         if: %result is not ""
-            %result join= "\nend"
+            <- %result + "\nend"
         return %result
 
 # Switch statement
 immediately
     compile [when %branch_value = ? %body, when %branch_value is ? %body] to code
-        set %result = ""
-        set %fallthroughs = []
-        set %first = (yes)
+        %result <- ""
+        %fallthroughs <- []
+        %is_first <- (yes)
+        %seen_else <- (no)
         for %func_call in (%body's "value")
             assume ((%func_call's "type") is "FunctionCall") or barf ".."
                 Invalid format for 'when' statement. Only '*' blocks are allowed.
-            set %tokens = (%func_call's "value")
-            set %star = (%tokens -> 1)
-            assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
-                Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
+            %tokens <- (%func_call's "value")
+            with [%star<-(1st in %tokens), %condition<-(2nd in %tokens), %action<-(3rd in %tokens)]
+                assume (=lua "\%star and \%star.type == 'Word' and \%star.value == '*'") or barf ".."
+                    Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*'
+                assume %condition or barf ".."
+                    Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
+                if: %action is (nil)
+                    lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \%condition)"
+                    do next %func_call
 
-            set %condition = (%tokens -> 2)
-            assume %condition or barf ".."
-                Invalid format for 'when' statement. Lines must begin with '*' and have a condition or the word "else"
+                if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
+                    assume (not %is_first) or barf "'else' clause cannot be first in 'when % = ?' block"
+                    <- %result + ".."
 
-            set %action = (%tokens -> 3)
-            if: %action is (nil)
-                lua> "table.insert(\%fallthroughs, \%condition)"
-                do next %func_call
+                        else
+                            \(%action as lua statements)
+                        end
+                    %seen_else <- (yes)
+                ..else
+                    assume (not %seen_else) or barf "'else' clause needs to be last in 'when % = ?' block"
+                    %clause <- ""
+                    if: ((%condition's "type") is "Text") or ((%condition's "type") is "Number")
+                        %clause <- "branch_value == (\(%condition as lua))"
+                    ..else 
+                        %clause <- "utils.equivalent(branch_value, \(%condition as lua))"
+                    for all %fallthroughs
+                        if: ((%'s "type") is "Text") or ((%'s "type") is "Number")
+                            <- %clause + " or branch_value == (\(%condition as lua))"
+                        ..else 
+                            <- %clause + " or utils.equivalent(branch_value, \(%condition as lua))"
+                    <- %result + ".."
+                        
+                        \("if" if %is_first else "elseif") \%clause then
+                        \(%action as lua statements)
 
-            if: =lua "\%condition.type == 'Word' and \%condition.value == 'else'"
-                %result join= ".."
-                    
-                    else
-                    \(%action as lua statements)
-                stop for-loop
-            ..else
-                set %condition = "branch_value == (\(%condition as lua))"
-                for all %fallthroughs
-                    %condition join= " or (branch_value == \(% as lua))"
-                %result join= ".."
-                    
-                    \("if" if %first else "elseif") \%condition then
-                    \(%action as lua statements)
-
-            set %fallthroughs = []
-            set %first = (no)
-
-        if: %result is not ""
-            set %result = ".."
-                do --when % = ?
-                local branch_value = \(%branch_value as lua);\
-                ..\%result
-                end
-                end --when % = ?
+            %fallthroughs <- []
+            %is_first <- (no)
+        
+        assume (%result is not "") or barf "No body for 'when % = ?' block!"
+        unless %seen_else
+            <- %result + "\nend"
+        %result <- ".."
+            do --when % = ?
+            local branch_value = \(%branch_value as lua);\
+            ..\%result
+            end --when % = ?
         return %result
 
 # Try/except
@@ -417,27 +455,3 @@ immediately
             end
         end
 
-immediately
-    compile [with %assignments %action] to code
-        local [%lua, %olds, %old_vals, %new_vals]
-        set {%temp_vars:[], %old_vals:[], %new_vals:[]}
-        for %i=%assignment in (%assignments' "value")
-            set (%temp_vars->%i) = "temp\%i"
-            set (%old_vals->%i) = ((%assignment's "dict_key") as lua)
-            set (%new_vals->%i) = ((%assignment's "dict_value") as lua)
-        return ".."
-            do
-                local \(join %temp_vars with ", ") = \(join %old_vals with ", ");
-                \(join %old_vals with ", ") = \(join %new_vals with ", ");
-                local fell_through = false;
-                local ok, ret = pcall(function()
-                    do
-                        \(%action as lua statements)
-                    end
-                    fell_through = true;
-                end);
-                \(join %old_vals with ", ") = \(join %temp_vars with ", ");
-                if not ok then error(ret, 0); end
-                if not fell_through then return ret end
-            end
-
diff --git a/lib/metaprogramming.nom b/lib/metaprogramming.nom
index 5ff1ab3..eec99a0 100644
--- a/lib/metaprogramming.nom
+++ b/lib/metaprogramming.nom
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ immediately
                 return names, args;
             else
                 local alias = nomsu:tree_to_value(spec);
-                print("ALIAS!!! "..repr(alias).." from "..repr(spec));
                 local junk, arg_names, junk = nomsu:get_stub(alias);
                 local args = {};
                 for i, a in ipairs(arg_names) do args[i] = nomsu:var_to_lua_identifier(a); end
@@ -37,7 +36,10 @@ immediately
             local names, args = nomsu:parse_spec(\%names);
             names, args = repr(names), table.concat(args, ", ");
             local body_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%body);
-            body_lua = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            local body_code = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            if body_lua.locals and #body_lua.locals > 0 then
+                body_code = "local "..table.concat(body_lua.locals, ", ")..";\\n"..body_code;
+            end
             local lua = ([[
         do
             local function compile_action(%s)
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ immediately
             end
             local function compile_action_wrapper(%s) return {expr=compile_action(%s)}; end
             nomsu:define_compile_action(%s, %s, compile_action_wrapper, %s);
-        end]]):format(args, body_lua, args, args, names, repr(\%names:get_line_no()),
+        end]]):format(args, body_code, args, args, names, repr(\%names:get_line_no()),
             repr(("compile %s\\n..to %s"):format(\%names.src, \%body.src)));
             return {statements=lua};
         end, \(__src__ 1));
@@ -55,7 +57,10 @@ immediately
             local names, args = nomsu:parse_spec(\%names);
             names, args = repr(names), table.concat(args, ", ");
             local body_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%body);
-            body_lua = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            local body_code = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            if body_lua.locals and #body_lua.locals > 0 then
+                body_code = "local "..table.concat(body_lua.locals, ", ")..";\\n"..body_code;
+            end
             local lua = ([[
         do
             local function compile_action(%s)
@@ -63,7 +68,7 @@ immediately
             end
             local function compile_action_wrapper(%s) return {statements=compile_action(%s)}; end
             nomsu:define_compile_action(%s, %s, compile_action_wrapper, %s);
-        end]]):format(args, body_lua, args, args, names, repr(\%names:get_line_no()),
+        end]]):format(args, body_code, args, args, names, repr(\%names:get_line_no()),
             repr(("compile %s\\n..to code %s"):format(\%names.src, \%body.src)));
             return {statements=lua};
         end, \(__src__ 1));
@@ -75,12 +80,15 @@ immediately
             local names, args = nomsu:parse_spec(\%names);
             names, args = repr(names), table.concat(args, ", ");
             local body_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%body);
-            body_lua = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            local body_code = body_lua.statements or ("return "..body_lua.expr..";");
+            if body_lua.locals and #body_lua.locals > 0 then
+                body_code = "local "..table.concat(body_lua.locals, ", ")..";\\n"..body_code;
+            end
             local src = nomsu:dedent(nomsu:source_code(0));
             local def_lua = ([[
             nomsu:define_action(%s, \(__line_no__), function(%s)
                 %s
-            end, %s);]]):format(names, args, body_lua, repr(src));
+            end, %s);]]):format(names, args, body_code, repr(src));
             return def_lua;
 
 # Macro to make nomsu macros:
diff --git a/lib/operators.nom b/lib/operators.nom
index 91410be..4f43dfd 100644
--- a/lib/operators.nom
+++ b/lib/operators.nom
@@ -11,7 +11,10 @@ immediately
         It's also critical to have parens around %obj, otherwise Lua is too dumb to
         realize that {x=1}["x"] is the same as ({x=1})["x"] or that
         {x=1}.x is the same as ({x=1}).x
-    compile [%obj'%key, %obj's %key, %obj -> %key] to
+    compile [..]
+        %obj' %key, %obj's %key, %key in %obj, %key'th in %obj, %key of %obj,
+        %key st in %obj, %key nd in %obj, %key rd in %obj, %key th in %obj,
+    ..to
         lua> ".."
             local obj_lua = \(%obj as lua);
             if not obj_lua:sub(-1,-1):match("[a-zA-Z)]") then
@@ -56,70 +59,101 @@ immediately
 
 # Variable assignment operator, and += type versions
 immediately
-    compile [local %vars] to code
-        lua> ".."
-            local locals = \%vars.type == "List" and \%vars.value or {\%vars};
-            local identifiers = {};
-            for i,x in ipairs(locals) do
-                identifiers[i] = nomsu:tree_to_lua(x).expr;
+    lua> ".."
+        nomsu:define_compile_action("%var <- %value", \(__line_no__), function(\%var, \%value)
+            local lua = {};
+            lua.statements = ("%s = %s;"):format(
+                assert(nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%var).expr, "Invalid target for assignment: "..\%var.src),
+                assert(nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%value).expr, "Invalid value for assignment: "..\%value.src));
+            if \%var.type == "Var" then
+                lua.locals = {nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%var).expr};
             end
-            return "local "..table.concat(identifiers, ", ");
-    compile [set %var = %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%val as lua);"
-    compile [set %assignments] to code
-        assume ((%assignments' "type") is "Dict") or barf "Expected Dict, but got \(%assignments' "type")"
-        lua> ".."
-            local lhs, rhs = {}, {};
-            for i,entry in ipairs(\%assignments.value) do
-                lhs[i] = nomsu:tree_to_lua(entry.dict_key).expr;
-                rhs[i] = nomsu:tree_to_lua(entry.dict_value).expr;
+            return lua;
+        end, \(__src__ 1));
+    lua> ".."
+        nomsu:define_compile_action("with %assignments %body", \(__line_no__), function(\%assignments, \%body)
+            local body_lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(\%body);
+            local declarations = "";
+            local leftover_locals = {};
+            for _, body_local in ipairs(body_lua.locals or {}) do
+                leftover_locals[body_local] = true;
             end
-            return table.concat(lhs, ", ").." = "..table.concat(rhs, ", ")..";";
+            assert(\%assignments.type == "List",
+                "Expected a List for the assignments part of 'with' statement, not "..\%assignments.src);
+            for i, item in ipairs(\%assignments.value) do
+                if item.type == "Var" then
+                    local var = nomsu:tree_to_lua(item).expr;
+                    leftover_locals[var] = nil;
+                    declarations = declarations.."local "..var..";\\n    ";
+                else
+                    assert(item.type == "FunctionCall" and #item.value == 3 and item.value[2].src == "<-",
+                        "'with' statement expects entries of the form: '%var <- %value', not: "..item.src);
+                    local target, value = item.value[1], item.value[3];
+                    if target.type == "Var" then
+                        local var = nomsu:tree_to_lua(target).expr;
+                        leftover_locals[var] = nil;
+                        declarations = declarations..(("local %s = %s;\\n    "):format(
+                            var, assert(nomsu:tree_to_lua(value).expr, "Invalid value for assignment: "..value.src)));
+                    else
+                        declarations = declarations..(("%s = %s;\\n    "):format(
+                            assert(nomsu:tree_to_lua(target).expr, "Invalid target for assignment: "..target.src),
+                            assert(nomsu:tree_to_lua(value).expr, "Invalid value for assignment: "..value.src)));
+                    end
+                end
+            end
+            local code = ([[
+        do
+            %s%s
+        end]]):format(declarations, body_lua.statements or (body_lua.expr..";"));
+            return {statements=code, locals=utils.keys(leftover_locals)};
+        end, \(__src__ 1));
 
-# Update assignment operators
-compile [%var += %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) + \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var -= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) - \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var *= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) * \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var /= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) / \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var ^= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) ^ \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var and= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) and\(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var or= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) or \(%val as lua);"
-compile [%var join= %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) .. \(%val as lua);"
-compile [wrap %var around %val] to code "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) % \(%val as lua);"
+immediately
+    # Math Operators
+    compile [%x + %y] to "(\(%x as lua) + \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x - %y] to "(\(%x as lua) - \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x * %y] to "(\(%x as lua) * \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x / %y] to "(\(%x as lua) / \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x ^ %y] to "(\(%x as lua) ^ \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x wrapped around %y, %x mod %y] to "(\(%x as lua) % \(%y as lua))"
 
-# Math Operators
-compile [%x + %y] to "(\(%x as lua) + \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x - %y] to "(\(%x as lua) - \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x * %y] to "(\(%x as lua) * \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x / %y] to "(\(%x as lua) / \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x ^ %y] to "(\(%x as lua) ^ \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x wrapped around %y, %x mod %y] to "(\(%x as lua) % \(%y as lua))"
+    # 3-part chained comparisons
+    # (uses a lambda to avoid re-evaluating middle value, while still being an expression)
+    parse [%x <  %y <  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <  y and y <  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x <= %y <  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <= y and y <  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x <  %y <= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <  y and y <= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x <= %y <= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <= y and y <= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x >  %y >  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >  y and y >  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x >= %y >  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >= y and y >  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x >  %y >= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >  y and y >= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    parse [%x >= %y >= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >= y and y >= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
+    # TODO: optimize for common case where x,y,z are all either variables or number literals
 
-# 3-part chained comparisons
-# (uses a lambda to avoid re-evaluating middle value, while still being an expression)
-parse [%x <  %y <  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <  y and y <  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x <= %y <  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <= y and y <  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x <  %y <= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <  y and y <= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x <= %y <= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x <= y and y <= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x >  %y >  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >  y and y >  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x >= %y >  %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >= y and y >  z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x >  %y >= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >  y and y >= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-parse [%x >= %y >= %z] as: =lua "(function(x,y,z) return x >= y and y >= z; end)(\%x,\%y,\%z)"
-# TODO: optimize for common case where x,y,z are all either variables or number literals
+    # Boolean Operators
+    compile [%x and %y] to "(\(%x as lua) and \(%y as lua))"
+    compile [%x or %y] to "(\(%x as lua) or \(%y as lua))"
 
-# Boolean Operators
-compile [%x and %y] to "(\(%x as lua) and \(%y as lua))"
-compile [%x or %y] to "(\(%x as lua) or \(%y as lua))"
+    # Bitwise Operators
+    compile [%a OR %b, %a | %b] to "bit32.bor(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
+    compile [%a XOR %b] to "bit32.bxor(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
+    compile [%a AND %b, %a & %b] to "bit32.band(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
+    compile [NOT %, ~ %] to "bit32.bnot(\(% as lua))"
+    compile [%x LSHIFT %shift, %x << %shift] to "bit32.lshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
+    compile [%x RSHIFT %shift, %x >>> %shift] to "bit32.rshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
+    compile [%x ARSHIFT %shift, %x >> %shift] to "bit32.arshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
+    # TODO: implement OR, XOR, AND for multiple operands?
 
-# Bitwise Operators
-compile [%a OR %b, %a | %b] to "bit32.bor(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
-compile [%a XOR %b] to "bit32.bxor(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
-compile [%a AND %b, %a & %b] to "bit32.band(\(%a as lua), \(%b as lua))"
-compile [NOT %, ~ %] to "bit32.bnot(\(% as lua))"
-compile [%x LSHIFT %shift, %x << %shift] to "bit32.lshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
-compile [%x RSHIFT %shift, %x >>> %shift] to "bit32.rshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
-compile [%x ARSHIFT %shift, %x >> %shift] to "bit32.arshift(\(%x as lua), \(%shift as lua))"
-# TODO: implement OR, XOR, AND for multiple operands?
+    # Unary operators
+    compile [- %] to "(- \(% as lua))"
+    compile [not %] to "(not \(% as lua))"
 
-# Unary operators
-compile [- %] to "-(\(% as lua))"
-compile [not %] to "not (\(% as lua))"
+# Update operators
+immediately
+    parse [<- %var + %] as: %var <- (%var + %)
+    parse [<- %var - %] as: %var <- (%var - %)
+    parse [<- %var * %] as: %var <- (%var * %)
+    parse [<- %var / %] as: %var <- (%var / %)
+    parse [<- %var ^ %] as: %var <- (%var ^ %)
+    parse [<- %var and %] as: %var <- (%var and %)
+    parse [<- %var or %] as: %var <- (%var or %)
+    parse [wrap %var around %] as: "\(%var as lua) = \(%var as lua) % \(% as lua);"
diff --git a/nomsu.lua b/nomsu.lua
index 8042e9b..ba6a834 100644
--- a/nomsu.lua
+++ b/nomsu.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,12 @@ do
   local _obj_0 = table
   insert, remove, concat = _obj_0.insert, _obj_0.remove, _obj_0.concat
 end
+do
+  local STRING_METATABLE = getmetatable("")
+  STRING_METATABLE.__add = function(self, other)
+    return self .. stringify(other)
+  end
+end
 lpeg.setmaxstack(10000)
 local P, R, V, S, Cg, C, Cp, B, Cmt
 P, R, V, S, Cg, C, Cp, B, Cmt = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.V, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cg, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cp, lpeg.B, lpeg.Cmt
@@ -416,6 +422,10 @@ do
       assert(tree.type == "File", "Attempt to run non-file: " .. tostring(tree.type))
       local lua = self:tree_to_lua(tree)
       local lua_code = lua.statements or (lua.expr .. ";")
+      local locals = lua_code.locals or { }
+      if #locals > 0 then
+        lua_code = "local " .. concat(locals, ", ") .. ";\n" .. lua_code
+      end
       lua_code = "-- File: " .. tostring(filename) .. "\n" .. lua_code
       local ret = self:run_lua(lua_code)
       if max_operations then
@@ -875,6 +885,7 @@ do
         if #tree.value == 1 then
           return self:tree_to_lua(tree.value[1])
         end
+        local declared_locals = { }
         local lua_bits = { }
         local _list_0 = tree.value
         for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
@@ -883,10 +894,32 @@ do
           if not lua then
             error("No lua produced by " .. tostring(repr(line)))
           end
+          if lua.locals then
+            local new_locals
+            do
+              local _accum_0 = { }
+              local _len_0 = 1
+              local _list_1 = lua.locals
+              for _index_1 = 1, #_list_1 do
+                local l = _list_1[_index_1]
+                if not declared_locals[l] then
+                  _accum_0[_len_0] = l
+                  _len_0 = _len_0 + 1
+                end
+              end
+              new_locals = _accum_0
+            end
+            if #new_locals > 0 then
+              insert(lua_bits, "local " .. tostring(concat(new_locals, ", ")) .. ";")
+              for _index_1 = 1, #new_locals do
+                local l = new_locals[_index_1]
+                declared_locals[l] = true
+              end
+            end
+          end
           if lua.statements then
             insert(lua_bits, lua.statements)
-          end
-          if lua.expr then
+          elseif lua.expr then
             insert(lua_bits, tostring(lua.expr) .. ";")
           end
         end
@@ -903,6 +936,7 @@ do
         }
       elseif "Block" == _exp_0 then
         local lua_bits = { }
+        local locals = { }
         local _list_0 = tree.value
         for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
           local arg = _list_0[_index_0]
@@ -912,15 +946,22 @@ do
               expr = lua.expr
             }
           end
+          if lua.locals then
+            local _list_1 = lua.locals
+            for _index_1 = 1, #_list_1 do
+              local l = _list_1[_index_1]
+              locals[l] = true
+            end
+          end
           if lua.statements then
             insert(lua_bits, lua.statements)
-          end
-          if lua.expr then
+          elseif lua.expr then
             insert(lua_bits, tostring(lua.expr) .. ";")
           end
         end
         return {
-          statements = concat(lua_bits, "\n")
+          statements = concat(lua_bits, "\n"),
+          locals = (next(locals) and utils.keys(locals) or nil)
         }
       elseif "FunctionCall" == _exp_0 then
         insert(self.compilestack, tree)
@@ -981,7 +1022,7 @@ do
               insert(bits, tok.value)
             else
               local lua = self:tree_to_lua(tok)
-              assert(lua.statements == nil, "non-expression value inside math expression")
+              assert(lua.expr, "non-expression value inside math expression: " .. tostring(tok.src))
               insert(bits, lua.expr)
             end
           end
@@ -1001,7 +1042,7 @@ do
               break
             end
             local lua = self:tree_to_lua(tok)
-            assert(lua.expr, "Cannot use " .. tostring(tok.src) .. " as an argument, since it's not an expression, it produces: " .. tostring(repr(lua)))
+            assert(lua.expr, tostring(tree:get_line_no()) .. ": Cannot use:\n" .. tostring(colored.yellow(tok.src)) .. "\nas an argument to " .. tostring(tree.stub) .. ", since it's not an expression, it produces: " .. tostring(repr(lua)))
             insert(args, lua.expr)
             _continue_0 = true
           until true
@@ -1051,9 +1092,7 @@ do
               self:print_tree(bit)
               self:writeln(tostring(colored.bright("EXPR:")) .. " " .. tostring(lua.expr) .. ", " .. tostring(colored.bright("STATEMENT:")) .. " " .. tostring(lua.statements))
             end
-            if lua.statements then
-              error("Cannot use [[" .. tostring(bit.src) .. "]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression.")
-            end
+            assert(lua.expr, "Cannot use [[" .. tostring(bit.src) .. "]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression.")
             insert(concat_parts, "stringify(" .. tostring(lua.expr) .. ")")
             _continue_0 = true
           until true
@@ -1083,9 +1122,7 @@ do
         for _index_0 = 1, #_list_0 do
           local item = _list_0[_index_0]
           local lua = self:tree_to_lua(item)
-          if lua.statements then
-            error("Cannot use [[" .. tostring(item.src) .. "]] as a list item, since it's not an expression.")
-          end
+          assert(lua.expr, "Cannot use [[" .. tostring(item.src) .. "]] as a list item, since it's not an expression.")
           insert(items, lua.expr)
         end
         return {
@@ -1104,13 +1141,9 @@ do
           else
             key_lua = self:tree_to_lua(entry.dict_key)
           end
-          if key_lua.statements then
-            error("Cannot use [[" .. tostring(entry.dict_key.src) .. "]] as a dict key, since it's not an expression.")
-          end
+          assert(key_lua.expr, "Cannot use [[" .. tostring(entry.dict_key.src) .. "]] as a dict key, since it's not an expression.")
           local value_lua = self:tree_to_lua(entry.dict_value)
-          if value_lua.statements then
-            error("Cannot use [[" .. tostring(entry.dict_value.src) .. "]] as a dict value, since it's not an expression.")
-          end
+          assert(value_lua.expr, "Cannot use [[" .. tostring(entry.dict_value.src) .. "]] as a dict value, since it's not an expression.")
           local key_str = key_lua.expr:match([=[["']([a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*)['"]]=])
           if key_str then
             insert(items, tostring(key_str) .. "=" .. tostring(value_lua.expr))
@@ -1338,9 +1371,7 @@ do
             insert(concat_parts, bit)
           else
             local lua = nomsu:tree_to_lua(bit)
-            if lua.statements then
-              error("Cannot use [[" .. tostring(bit.src) .. "]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression.")
-            end
+            assert(lua.expr, "Cannot use [[" .. tostring(bit.src) .. "]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression.")
             insert(concat_parts, lua.expr)
           end
         end
@@ -1352,7 +1383,8 @@ do
         lua_code = "-- Immediately:\n" .. lua_code
         nomsu:run_lua(lua_code)
         return {
-          statements = lua_code
+          statements = lua_code,
+          locals = lua.locals
         }
       end)
       self:define_compile_action("lua> %code", "nomsu.moon", function(_code)
diff --git a/nomsu.moon b/nomsu.moon
index 2fb5249..2ef3c6c 100755
--- a/nomsu.moon
+++ b/nomsu.moon
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ colors = setmetatable({}, {__index:->""})
 colored = setmetatable({}, {__index:(_,color)-> ((msg)-> colors[color]..(msg or '')..colors.reset)})
 {:insert, :remove, :concat} = table
 
+-- Use + operator for string coercive concatenation (note: "asdf" + 3 == "asdf3")
+-- Note: This globally affects all strings in this instance of Lua!
+do
+    STRING_METATABLE = getmetatable("")
+    STRING_METATABLE.__add = (other)=> @ .. stringify(other)
+
 -- TODO:
 -- consider non-linear codegen, rather than doing thunks for things like comprehensions
 -- improve indentation of generated lua code
@@ -301,6 +307,9 @@ class NomsuCompiler
 
         lua = @tree_to_lua(tree)
         lua_code = lua.statements or (lua.expr..";")
+        locals = lua_code.locals or {}
+        if #locals > 0
+            lua_code = "local "..concat(locals, ", ")..";\n"..lua_code
         lua_code = "-- File: #{filename}\n"..lua_code
         ret = @run_lua(lua_code)
         if max_operations
@@ -616,13 +625,19 @@ class NomsuCompiler
             when "File"
                 if #tree.value == 1
                     return @tree_to_lua(tree.value[1])
+                declared_locals = {}
                 lua_bits = {}
                 for line in *tree.value
                     lua = @tree_to_lua line
                     if not lua
                         error "No lua produced by #{repr line}"
+                    if lua.locals
+                        new_locals = [l for l in *lua.locals when not declared_locals[l]]
+                        if #new_locals > 0
+                            insert lua_bits, "local #{concat new_locals, ", "};"
+                            for l in *new_locals do declared_locals[l] = true
                     if lua.statements then insert lua_bits, lua.statements
-                    if lua.expr then insert lua_bits, "#{lua.expr};"
+                    elseif lua.expr then insert lua_bits, "#{lua.expr};"
                 return statements:concat(lua_bits, "\n")
             
             when "Comment"
@@ -633,13 +648,16 @@ class NomsuCompiler
 
             when "Block"
                 lua_bits = {}
+                locals = {}
                 for arg in *tree.value
                     lua = @tree_to_lua arg
                     if #tree.value == 1 and lua.expr and not lua.statements
                         return expr:lua.expr
+                    if lua.locals
+                        for l in *lua.locals do locals[l] = true
                     if lua.statements then insert lua_bits, lua.statements
-                    if lua.expr then insert lua_bits, "#{lua.expr};"
-                return statements:concat(lua_bits, "\n")
+                    elseif lua.expr then insert lua_bits, "#{lua.expr};"
+                return statements:concat(lua_bits, "\n"), locals:(next(locals) and utils.keys(locals) or nil)
 
             when "FunctionCall"
                 insert @compilestack, tree
@@ -668,7 +686,7 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                             insert bits, tok.value
                         else
                             lua = @tree_to_lua(tok)
-                            assert(lua.statements == nil, "non-expression value inside math expression")
+                            assert(lua.expr, "non-expression value inside math expression: #{tok.src}")
                             insert bits, lua.expr
                     remove @compilestack
                     return expr:"(#{concat bits, " "})"
@@ -677,7 +695,8 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                 for tok in *tree.value
                     if tok.type == "Word" then continue
                     lua = @tree_to_lua(tok)
-                    assert(lua.expr, "Cannot use #{tok.src} as an argument, since it's not an expression, it produces: #{repr lua}")
+                    assert lua.expr,
+                        "#{tree\get_line_no!}: Cannot use:\n#{colored.yellow tok.src}\nas an argument to #{tree.stub}, since it's not an expression, it produces: #{repr lua}"
                     insert args, lua.expr
 
                 if metadata and metadata.arg_orders
@@ -702,8 +721,8 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                         @writeln (colored.bright "INTERP:")
                         @print_tree bit
                         @writeln "#{colored.bright "EXPR:"} #{lua.expr}, #{colored.bright "STATEMENT:"} #{lua.statements}"
-                    if lua.statements
-                        error "Cannot use [[#{bit.src}]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression."
+                    assert lua.expr,
+                        "Cannot use [[#{bit.src}]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression."
                     insert concat_parts, "stringify(#{lua.expr})"
 
                 if string_buffer ~= ""
@@ -719,8 +738,8 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                 items = {}
                 for item in *tree.value
                     lua = @tree_to_lua item
-                    if lua.statements
-                        error "Cannot use [[#{item.src}]] as a list item, since it's not an expression."
+                    assert lua.expr,
+                        "Cannot use [[#{item.src}]] as a list item, since it's not an expression."
                     insert items, lua.expr
                 return expr:@@comma_separated_items("{", items, "}")
 
@@ -731,11 +750,11 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                         {expr:repr(entry.dict_key.value)}
                     else
                         @tree_to_lua entry.dict_key
-                    if key_lua.statements
-                        error "Cannot use [[#{entry.dict_key.src}]] as a dict key, since it's not an expression."
+                    assert key_lua.expr,
+                        "Cannot use [[#{entry.dict_key.src}]] as a dict key, since it's not an expression."
                     value_lua = @tree_to_lua entry.dict_value
-                    if value_lua.statements
-                        error "Cannot use [[#{entry.dict_value.src}]] as a dict value, since it's not an expression."
+                    assert value_lua.expr,
+                        "Cannot use [[#{entry.dict_value.src}]] as a dict value, since it's not an expression."
                     key_str = key_lua.expr\match([=[["']([a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*)['"]]=])
                     if key_str
                         insert items, "#{key_str}=#{value_lua.expr}"
@@ -888,8 +907,8 @@ class NomsuCompiler
                     insert concat_parts, bit
                 else
                     lua = nomsu\tree_to_lua bit
-                    if lua.statements
-                        error "Cannot use [[#{bit.src}]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression."
+                    assert lua.expr,
+                        "Cannot use [[#{bit.src}]] as a string interpolation value, since it's not an expression."
                     insert concat_parts, lua.expr
             return concat(concat_parts)
         
@@ -898,7 +917,7 @@ class NomsuCompiler
             lua_code = lua.statements or (lua.expr..";")
             lua_code = "-- Immediately:\n"..lua_code
             nomsu\run_lua(lua_code)
-            return statements:lua_code
+            return statements:lua_code, locals:lua.locals
 
         @define_compile_action "lua> %code", "nomsu.moon", (_code)->
             lua = nomsu_string_as_lua(_code)