[Info-vax] "Clever code", was: Re: wrong file format

[Dave Froble]

On 1/8/2021 1:41 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2021-01-08, Stephen Hoffman <seaohveh at hoffmanlabs.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2021-01-08 13:14:12 +0000, Simon Clubley said:
>>
>>> Yes. The VMS terminal driver is an example of this idiotic mindset and
>>> is also the reason why, in 2021, we can't even do something as simple
>>> as edit DCL command lines which are longer than the terminal width. :-(
>>
>> Pragmatically, the terminal driver class-and-port design has survived
>> for an unusually long time for software, and is still in active use.
>>
>
> Is that because everyone is afraid to go near it ? :-)

Maybe it's because it ain't broke, and doesn't need fixing.

>
> There might have been somewhat valid reasons for the design at the time,
> but when it was implemented in a way that makes people afraid to go near
> it, then that does sound like "clever" coding to me.

At one time terminal sessions were the main interface to the systems. 
Today much more comes in via networks.  But there are still terminal 
sessions.

As for "clever", you may remember my dislike of such ....


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David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
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