Re: managed code was: RPG is Dead? Say it aint so!

On 6/21/07, Paul Raulerson <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Oh boy... you are laboring under a few ideas that a little more scope might
help clear up.
"Managed Code" by definition is not what you think it is; Managed code is >simply
code that is managed by an execution environment, and that can be >a .NET language environment,
a JIT compiler, an intrepted language, or -- >OS/400, i5OS, etc.

too vague and broad a definition. managed code for the programmer
means there is nothing that can be done to one object that can bleed
over or otherwise affect another object.
StringBuilder sb1 = new StringBuilder( ) ;
StringBuilder sb2 = new StringBuilder( ) ;

sb1.Append( "abc" ) ;
sb2.Append( "efg" ) ;

there is nothing that is done to the sb1 StringBuilder object which
will alter the sb2 object. this is true for java code also. You cant
make this claim for an ILE language.

Now, an managed environment can do things like type checking - if it
>undestands what the COMPILER did.
Type checking, array bounds and other limit checking are all available in many
>languages, and in fact, do not depend upon the underlying execution environment,
>at least not as much as you might think.

not true. You can pass a 10 element array to a *varsize parm of an
ILE procedure and lose all type check protection. You can also lose
your type checked protection by basing an array on a pointer and then
setting that pointer to different arrays in your program.

C for instance, is a fine example of a language that lets you step on

your own >toes; C++ tries to keep you from tripping over your own
shoes, but Algo derived >langs, like Pascal, Modula-2, and especially
Ada are languages that are >processor and environment neutral, and do
everything that .NET does for you that >way.

if the languages dont allow the use of pointers, overlayed data
structures and casting then they are still in the running to be
considered managed code languages. .NET does not have a monopoly on
the concept. The advantage MSFT has is their upper management fully
understands it.

-Steve