Clever UNIX/C Constructs

[Frank Kolmann <FKolmann@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott Wrote: (I apologise if it was not)

>If you don't like the += type operators, don't vote for them.  If you do,
>vote for them.  Let the majority decide.  Isn't that what VOTES are FOR?
>
>Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty saying "I dont like the short form
>operators, so people shouldnt be allowed to vote for them!"???

Democracy is a wonderful thing but is it the best way to design a
compiler. This is not a question of personal likes and dislikes.
I contend that there are basic rules to programming and 
consequently programming languages must conform to
those rules. Guilty, of what should I be guilty. Do I impinge on
your personal freedoms, if so I apologise, it was never my
intent.

HHL languages developed to make it EASIER for you and
me to write computer code. One should respect others
especially those that will in future pick up your code and
MAINTAIN it.  The code should never be an exercise
in how terse and/or obtuse can I make a function.
Code must be self documenting.
It must be readable.
It must be simple.
(Was not a objective of COBOL to be all of the above)
In the final washup a programming language CANNOT
enforce readable, maintainable, simple code.
It is up to the programmers.  What is the reason the GOTO
is looked upon with scorn.  I have written perfectable readable
code using GOTOs, if one adhears to the KISS principal the
code is by definition simple.  I have seen structured IF/ELSE
code 20 levels deep with a few IFNE thrown in that I 
could only understand once I rewrote and untangled it.
I suppose all I am saying is that if you introduce a way to
complicate things programmers will do so. I still cringe
when I see some of my early code and I wonder just
who was I trying to impress. I could go on but enuff said.
Frank Kolmann

____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at 
http://home.netscape.com/webmail
+---
| This is the RPG/400 Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to RPG400-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to RPG400-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to RPG400-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---