RE: What the compiler does, or not?

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Joe Pluta
>
> I don't want to nit-pick.  And you are not designing RPG, you are
> maintaining it.  Enhancing to be sure, but maintaining it
> nonetheless.

Okay, I'm going to break my rule, but primarily just to try and restate my
opinion, perhaps with a little less rancor.  I have to admit that you really
ticked me off with the statement "the main point of free-form calcs is to
improve the clarity of your programming."

That statement sort of exemplifies to me the whole issue - you know how we
should program.  And my point is that we've been doing pretty well for a
couple of decades now, and while your assistance is certainly appreciated,
your "guidance", shall we say, is a little heavy handed.

Honestly, Hans, I don't want compiler developers deciding how I should
program.  That's really not your business.  I don't know how else to say it,
and even that sounds a little haughty, I know.  But the truth is that
whenever you make a decision on opcode support because of "elegance", you
are in effect telling us how to code.

But regardless, the way I said it was pretty heavy handed of me.  You have a
unique ability to get my back up, probably because a lot of what you say I
agree with.  I have great respect for your knowledge of languages and the
science of computer programming, so when we disagree so fundamentally, it
really rankles.

But no matter my opinion, it was unnecessary for me to be so argumentative.
The comment about Stroustrop was unnecessary, I think, and in places the
tone was a bit too sardonic to be professional.  Please accept my apologies,
and NOW I will let the poor horse go in peace.

Joe