[Info-vax] VAX Macro to C conversion

[Dave Froble]

On 7/20/2019 9:22 AM, Robert A. Brooks wrote:
> On 7/20/2019 8:40 AM, Dave Froble wrote:
>> On 7/19/2019 11:22 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>
>>> Basic already has a lot of features that makes it better than C for
>>> business applications and worse than C for operating systems.
>>
>> Just what in the Basic language, as implemented in VAX/DEC Basic is
> worse for > OS work?
>
> The lack of a native pointer type and the lack of unsigned integers.

That's been mentioned before, and 32 bit vs 64 bit also.  Got to think 
the integers would be an easy enhancement, and perhaps the pointers also.

> Yeah, you can work around it, but it's more than just a pain in the neck.
>
> I've written a rudimentary disk defragger in BASIC, just for the challenge.
> It was "fun" to do, but why use a hammer when the correct tool is a ruler.
>
>

References to hammers always causes me to remember John Sechrist.  John 
was a pretty handy jack of all trades.  His primary tool was the hammer.

John was doing a small job for me one day, which included installing 
some small #6 x 3/4 screws.  When I went to check on the job, I watched 
him take a nail, make a small hole, place a screw in the hole, and smack 
it with his hammer.  When he noticed me he got a shit-eating grin on his 
face, shrugged, and said "hey, it works".

Don't discount the usefulness of the hammer.

Back to computers, I know and like Basic.  I don't know C, and when I've 
tried to read it, I get headaches.  Maybe the hammer is the correct tool 
for some people.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
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