[Info-vax] Fortran

[Arne Vajhøj]

On 12/7/2018 11:20 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 12/7/2018 10:29 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 12/7/2018 8:39 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>> On 12/7/18 7:27 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>>>> In many ways I think PHP's problem is the exact opposite of
>>>> what Bill thinks.
>>>>
>>>> It is so easy to read and write that anybody can code in it.
>>>>
>>>> And guess what - anybody does. Including a a lot that should
>>>> stay away from programming.
>>>
>>> Sadly, I think that is one of the main points of PHP.
>>
>> Being easy to use it not a bad thing. It should be considered
>> a good thing.
>>
>> I also think that was/is one of Cobol's strengths.   :-)
>>
>>> It was used by one of our professors for a course on
>>> "Rapid Prototyping" which is, at least to me, the anti-
>>> thesis of Software Engineering.
>>
>> I consider it good software engineering to:
>> * do a prototype if there is a question where it
>>    is difficult to make a decision without actually
>>    seeing something
>> * use a simple, easy and very fast technology
>>    to do the prototype
>>
>> I don't see a problem with the general approach.
>>
>> I see a potential problem due to the fact that PHP
>> is rather unique and it may be a problem transferring
>> conclusions from prototype in PHP to the real
>> application in something else.
> 
> When one builds a house, or other building, first there is the 
> requiements and desires.  Then there is an architect to design.  Only 
> then can any building procees.
> 
> Software is no different.  There needs to be some sort of design, else, 
> you're just hacking, and that just ain't right.
> 
> Sitting down and writing code should never be the first step.

True.

But I don't think anybody has suggested that.

Doing a prototype means that is not the case due to the
simple fact that somebody must have done the analysis of what
to prototype.

And prototyping is not specific for software.

It is not used for houses, because millions of houses has
been build so no big questions.

But ho to new car models or new air plane models and
you will see lots of prototyping.

Arne