[Info-vax] VMS Software Q1 '23 Update

[Dave Froble]

On 1/29/2023 9:57 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
> On 2023-01-28, Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk> wrote:
>>
>> I find it hard to see why one would bother with the risks
>> of using floating point if a decimal type is available.
>>
>> VMS Basic has a decimal type.
>>
>
> Did RSTS/E Basic ever get a decimal data type, and if so, when ?
>
> PDP-11 DIBOL had a decimal data type, but I don't know when DIBOL
> was introduced to the PDP-11 (ie: was it _after_ David started
> using RSTS/E Basic ?)
>
> Simon.
>

I believe DIBOL was on the PDP-8.  I don't know when or how it got on the PDP-11.

What I think might be interesting is, the people working on RSTS/E back in the 
1970s probably aren't around to tell others just how primitive things were. 
Seems some here are having a hard time imagining that.

Once VAX Basic was available, many things were added to the language.  I guess 
some things that are causing John grief.  The thing is, once one starts down a 
particular road, it's hard to change, and if things are working, no good reason 
to change.

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