[showell30]

You are correct that variable scoping goes all the way to the top, but nobody is forcing you to create top-level variables with overloaded names like "log". Seriously, if you have a file that uses log files and logarithms, just take some care to distinguish the concepts. Use "log_file" for log files; use "logarithm" or "Math.log" for inverse exponentation.

[xnxn]

> Use "log_file" for log files; use "logarithm" or "Math.log" for inverse exponentation.

Just clarifying; are you actually suggesting this, or was that sarcasm?

[showell30]

It's a serious suggestion. Instead of introducing four top-level variables (log, sin, cos, and tan), just introduce one (Math) that wouldn't possibly conflict with a local.

[the_mitsuhiko]

The CoffeeScript sourcecode itself does not advocate it. It uses functions named like 'last', 'starts', 'ends', 'extend' etc.

[showell30]

You are correct about "last", "start's, etc., but there are also good examples in the CS sourcecode of easily avoiding naming conflicts with a sensible naming convention:

  browser.coffee:CoffeeScript = require './coffee-script'
  coffee-script.coffee:{Lexer,RESERVED} = require './lexer'
  coffee-script.coffee:    {Module} = require 'module'
  command.coffee:{EventEmitter} = require 'events'
  grammar.coffee:{Parser} = require 'jison'
  lexer.coffee:{Rewriter, INVERSES} = require './rewriter'
  nodes.coffee:{Scope} = require './scope'
  nodes.coffee:{RESERVED} = require './lexer'
  repl.coffee:{Script}     = require 'vm'