[Info-vax] VAX Macro to C conversion

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 7/10/19 5:22 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 7/10/2019 2:10 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>> 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.
> 
> Sorry Bill, I got to call BS on that.
> 
> As an example, yes, string descriptors can be used in C.  But as far as 
> I know, which isn't much, the programmer must set up the descriptors. 
> However, in Basic, it's not required to declare a string, just use it, 
> and it's there.  Now, how does this case of "easier" hamstring the 
> programmer?
> 

If the string is defined in a certain way, like it is in BASIC,
your hamstrung if you want to use some other form of string.  If
you wanted to pass a null-terminated string from BASIC to some
other language, how would you do it?

bill