Re: programming language genealogy

[Jeff Crosby <jlcrosby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hans Boldt wrote:

> > The bottom line is that if languages had useful platform dependent 
> > features
> > they would be eagerly used by programmers.
>
> But only if your program was only ever intended to be run on one 
> particular platform. These days, fewer and fewer shops run homogenous 
> system environments.

But which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Does a company _choose_ 
to become "hetero"?  Or are they _forced_ to become hetero because what 
they want/need to do is not available in a "homo" solution?  (Boy, what 
a leading statement that is! <g>)  Better minds than mine will have to 
answer that, but I can give a couple of examples:

When was the last time Query/400 was enhanced?  About 10 years ago?  We 
have users who could do a lot more if it was improved.  But we're not 
about to spend $10,000 plus on Sequel.  Your response will be there are 
many PC driven solutions.  Well, since Query/400 was never enhanced, no 
wonder PC solutions sprung up, there was no alternative!

How about CL?  When was the last time it was enhanced?  How many years 
ago were we asking for DO/ENDDO, FOR/ENDFOR, subroutines, etc?

--
Jeff Crosby
Dilgard Frozen Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 13369
Ft. Wayne, IN 46868-3369
260-422-7531

The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily
the opinion of my company.  Unless I say so.