Re: Is this the Free-Format that we asked for?

Hans,


> > On the as400network feedback forum, the point was raised in
> > one thread and I offered our reasons for the design.  I don't
> > like having to repeat the exact same words over and over again.

Fair enough. I've replied to you directly on the forum.


> > Language design debates can be fascinating, and on occasion
> > have even lead to fist fights.  (Although I've only heard
> > verbal anecdotes, not written, regarding one particularly
> > famous meeting during the 1960's!)  I've always been amazed
> > that the ferocity of a debate is often inversely proportional
> > to the importance of the topic.

Importance being relative to the extent to which an individual is affected
by the subject matter. It's easy to avoid a debate simply by dismissing it's
importance. However, it might be timely to remind everyone involved that the
debate is being carried on by IBM's customers. In our business, when a
customer has a concern about something, we don't deal with it by telling
them it's not important.

> > Quite simply, if the presence of semi-colons and the lack of
> > GOTO in the syntax is the biggest point of debate, then I
> > think we've got a damn good design here.

Yes, you do. And just maybe that has something to do with the discussions
that took place on this list when it was first on the drawing board? But
I've looked in the archives, and I don't see anything about the semicolon in
there. Rest assured that if anything had been mentioned about it, I'd have
hollered then.

Furthermore, it's the fact that you do have a good design that just adds to
my frustration. What should have been a joy to use is going to become a
constant annoyance because of these unnecessary limitations.


Regards,

John Taylor
Canada

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