Think of
.$identifier as if it was
$null($identifier).
A (working) script like this,
alias test {
$null($input(hey))
$null($regsub(1st round) $regsub(2nd round))
}
according to the suggestion could be changed to,
alias test {
.$input(hey)
.$regsub(1st round) .$regsub(2nd round)
}
...not a great implementation, but wouldn't hurt if added. Also, it doesn't conflict with the way mirc works, ie. $identifier in a new line would still be treated as a command as long as it isn't prefixed by a dot.