12 May
2020
12 May
'20
1:57 a.m.
Maybe it’s time for C++ subset ‘G'
Joe McGuckin
ViaNet Communications
joe(a)via.net
650-207-0372 cell
650-213-1302 office
650-969-2124 fax
On May 11, 2020, at 12:12 PM, Paul Winalski
<paul.winalski(a)gmail.com> wrote:
On 5/11/20, Clem Cole <clemc(a)ccc.com> wrote:
C++ is an example in my mind of not listening to Dennis' words:
- “C is quirky, flawed, and an enormous success.”
Ditto Fortran.
- “When I read commentary about suggestions for
where C should go, I
often think back and give thanks that it wasn't developed under the
advice
of a worldwide crowd.”
The old saying of an elephant being a mouse designed by committee comes to mind.
Language standards committees tend to be like a pack of dogs
contemplating a tree. Each dog isn't satisfied with the tree until
he's peed on it.
- “A language that doesn't have everything
is actually easier to program
in than some that do”
Big, comprehensive languages such as PL/I, Ada, and C++ tend to have
more of their share of toxic language features--things that shouldn't
be used if you want reliable, easily maintained and understood code.
Ada failed for two reasons: [1] it had cooties because of its
military origins, and [2] it collapsed under the weight of all of its
features.
-Paul W.