[Info-vax] VAX Macro to C conversion

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 7/10/19 11:40 AM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 7/10/2019 9:34 AM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> 
>>> * no string type
>>
>> So what?  What's so great about a string type?  Fortran
>> didn't have it until 77.  Pascal didn't have it until UCSD.
> 
> Strings are vital in some applications.  Perhaps not in number 
> crunching.  Try a name and address without strings.  Maybe you'll be 
> cleaver enough to use GPS coordinates for the address, but for the name?
> 
> Try writing a compiler without strings.

Nobody said there shouldn't be strings.  You are free to declare
any type pf string you want in C.  null-terminated, descriptor,
counted, whatever you want.  Decide what is best for your use
and create it.  The programmer is tied to only one type of string.

> 
>>> * non type safe enum
>>> * lots of old and bad design in standard RTL
>>> * lots of undefined and implementation specific behavior
>>
>> Even Ada has that.
>>
>>> makes it much easier to write code that result in bad runtime
>>> error than most other common languages of today.
>>
>> Do I really need to go on?  Stop blaming a language for the
>> incompetence of the programmer.
> 
> Of course a programmer must be competent, but, why not make things easier?

Because frequently (most times) "making it easier" involves hamstringing
the programmer.

bill