[Info-vax] VAX Macro to C conversion

[Dave Froble]

On 7/10/2019 8:20 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> 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
>
>

Piece of cake ...

Have a fixed length string as a buffer, set it equal to the string + 
Chr$(0%), and pass it by the required method, By Ref, By Value, or even 
By Desc.

Next ???


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David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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