Re: Languages: The Bigger the Uglier (was: Re: Aliasing in ISO C)

Henry Spencer <henry@zoo.toronto.edu> wrote:
>In this and similar matters, there is a school of thought which claims
>that only experts should get involved, that if you aren't up to being
>an expert, you should consult one rather than trying to solve your
>problem yourself. While there is some merit in this view, it also
>ignores reality: experts are in short supply, and many people need to
>get results without having the time to become experts or the money to
>consult existing experts, even if this does mean some risk of
>mistakes.
>
>Languages whose definitions are accessible only to experts are likely
>to remain the obscure playthings of tiny communities of experts.


I think that Henry is confusing the standardized _specification_ of a
language (most often used by compiler writers and language lawyers)
from _tutorials_ on that language (intended for use by mere mortals).


I see no reason why anyone should think of the standardized specification
of a language as a tutorial... and indeed, my own past readings of the C
and C++ standard lead me to the conclusion that these documents would be
considered as awful failures if viewed as tutorials.
--


-- Ron Guilmette, Roseville, CA ---- E-mail: rfg@monkeys.com --
--

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