[Info-vax] BASIC (and Horizon)

[Simon Clubley]

On 2024-01-29, Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
> On 1/29/2024 8:24 AM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>>
>> $ set response/mode=good_natured
>>
>> Don't be too hard on David, Dan. He still likes to use line numbers
>> in his BASIC code... :-)
>>
>
> That is a filthy slander ...
>
> Line numbers can be used in place of labels for GoTo statements, which you'll 
> also probably also slander.  But they can be useful.  Other than that, line 
> numbers can be useful for appending boiler plate code to a program.  Line 
> numbers are used in handling error exceptions and handling.
>
> Your implication that I use numbers on every line is just false.
>

$ set response/mode=good_natured

Er, David, where do I say _every_ line ? Or is that a guilty conscience
that's reading something above which isn't there ? :-)

It was a reference to the last time you posted a bit of BASIC code and
it was pointed out it could be written much more cleanly using structured
control loops.

Someone (Arne IIRC) posted some BASIC code using structured control
loops and I don't remember you being too impressed by the different
coding style, even though to me, Arne's version looked a lot cleaner.

> If I'm going to have:
>
> On Error GoTo 32000
>
> Ahhh, what's the use, you're probably just laughing ...
>

$ set response/mode=angry

On the plus side, and to take the opportunity to vent my anger at something
that I get more angry about whenever more details are revealed, at least
you know how to reverse the sign of a variable without having to write a
function to do it. :-( :-(

See:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38926582

Original reference:

https://www.postofficehorizoninquiry.org.uk/evidence/fuj00080690-report-eposs-pinicl-task-force

See page 17 onwards of the PDF. :-(

Innocent people went to jail because of the system this code is
a part of, and because of the coverup around it, and it took
a TV drama to really get things moving. :-(

So, yes, I may make fun of your line numbers, but at least you most
certainly know what you are doing, unlike the above people.

Simon.

-- 
Simon Clubley, clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP
Walking destinations on a map are further away than they appear.