Re: "C" vrs ADA

[sns@genghis.UUCP]

In article <1069@bsu-cs.UUCP>, dhesi@bsu-cs.UUCP (Rahul Dhesi) writes:
> Even a very careful reading of the VMS C documentation and release
> notes reveals absolutely no bugs or deficiencies in the VMS C
> environment.  If anything, as the manual makes clear, VMS C adds
> functionality to the original UNIX implementation.

Bugs are revealed in using the compiler, not in reading the documentation.

> Compare this with the large number of bugs and deficiencies that are
> documented in the manual for almost every UNIX program.

Yes, please do.  They are documented; you can work around them, or (if you
have source) you can fix them.

> Also note that VMS C runtime environment automatically converts all
> command-line arguments to lowercase, thus greatly simplifying argument
> parsing.  And no lint-like program is provided, saving you the

Converting to all lowercase is an advantage?  Try implementing a full-function
ls (an esoteric command, I give you :) with all lowercase options and without
arbitrarily assigning letters to options.  I like single-letter flags, thank-
you.

> temptation of using one and having to face the rude diagnostics it
> would probably give you.

I agree.  It is definately a nuisance to have to worry about all the bugs
that lint could uncover.

> 
> But perhaps the most outstanding advantage of VMS C environment is that
> the cursor control routines require a terminal manufactured by DEC or
> something equivalent.  This saves no end of trouble--no more time
> wasted having to create termcap entries for strange terminals of
> questionable quality.

If you want to limit yourself to DEC terminals, then go ahead - hard code
the DEC control sequences into your programs.  Don't limit us to only those
terminals. /etc/termcap (or terminfo) is a feature, not a disadvantage.
-- 

Sam Southard, Jr.
{sns@genghis.caltech.edu|sns@genghis.uucp|{backbone}!cit-vax!genghis!sns}