[Info-vax] OpenVMS Development Annoyances

[Dave Froble]

On 4/9/2019 4:03 AM, Hans Vlems wrote:
> Re the Dijkstra quote: please remember that the remark was made in the seventies, and BASIC at that time was a different beast than it is today. (Like most other languages).
> Hans
>

Many things called "Basic" even into the 1990s were really poor. 
Perhaps some still exist.

But in 1974 I was exposed to Basic+ on RSTS.  It was rather good then, 
and what DEC did with it's follow-ons is very much better.

As for the specific implementation, not considering threads which are 
not included, I really challenge people to point out omissions.  Sure, 
there will be some, but less than anyone not familiar with VSI Basic 
will expect.

But, I believe the topic was good programming practices.  Recently I was 
looking at a subroutine with a source file of 356 blocks.  A real rats 
nest.  Why?  Because it grew wild, very little planning.  The reason is 
a person who is really clever, but had no formal programming training. 
He admits it's a rats nest, and wishes he'd been able to do better. 
But, it goes back to education and training.

When you want to build some structure, you don't just hire a carpenter 
with a hammer and give him a truck load of lumber.  Things are much 
better if first an architect designs the structure.  Same concept in 
computer programming.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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