From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.1 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_40,INVALID_MSGID, REPLYTO_WITHOUT_TO_CC autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 103376,195c1254d862280d X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public X-Google-Thread: 114c38,195c1254d862280d X-Google-Attributes: gid114c38,public From: lance@eco.twg.com (Lance Kibblewhite) Subject: Re: syntax completion - a bad thing? Date: 1997/02/10 Message-ID: <330047be.2262543@library.airnews.net>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 217816383 references: <32F91629.5F9@vsl.com.au> content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii organization: Attachmate mime-version: 1.0 reply-to: lance@eco.twg.com newsgroups: comp.lang.ada,comp.os.vxworks Date: 1997-02-10T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: Andrew Kelly wrote: >Looking at Rational's Apex Ada development environment, I am >worried the inclusion of syntax completion in the "analyser" >(pre-compilation phase). > >It seems to me that syntax completion, as a step during >compilation, is not a good thing as it *repairs* errors >rather than report them (eg. unpaired begin/ends). The >obvious risk being that incorrect code will quite happily be >"repaired" (very possibly, incorrectly) and will compile >successfully. > >This seems, to me, to be more dangerous than it is useful ... >eg. If you accidentally delete the "end" from a nested "if", >where does the analyser stuff the "end"? Indeed, even if it >gets the placement correct (eg. by inference from the text >indentation) if code statements have been inadvertantly deleted >as well, a clearly erroneous file will compile cleanly. > >I believe syntax completion should be available during editting, >but not automatically employed during compilation. As far as I >can discover, it cannot be switched off in Apex either. > >Has anybody had any experiences with syntax completion that may >confirm or allay my fears? In case nobody else noticed, this question also appeared in the RISKS DIGEST, edition 18.81. Prehaps those of you that are able to place in this 'risk' in the correct perspective could also follow up to that forum. I have appended info on this digest below: > The RISKS Forum is a MODERATED digest. Its Usenet equivalent is comp.risks. >=> SUBSCRIPTIONS: PLEASE read RISKS as a newsgroup (comp.risks or equivalent) > if possible and convenient for you. Or use Bitnet LISTSERV. Alternatively, > (via majordomo) DIRECT REQUESTS to with one-line, > SUBSCRIBE (or UNSUBSCRIBE) [with net address if different from FROM:] or > INFO [for unabridged version of RISKS information] >=> The INFO file (submissions, default disclaimers, archive sites, .mil/.uk > subscribers, copyright policy, PRIVACY digests, etc.) is also obtainable from > http://www.CSL.sri.com/risksinfo.html ftp://www.CSL.sri.com/pub/risks.info > The full info file will appear now and then in future issues. *** All > contributors are assumed to have read the full info file for guidelines. *** >=> SUBMISSIONS: to risks@CSL.sri.com with meaningful SUBJECT: line. >=> ARCHIVES are available: ftp://ftp.sri.com/risks or > ftp ftp.sri.comlogin anonymous[YourNetAddress]cd risks > or http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/VL.IS.html [i.e., VoLume, ISsue]. > The ftp.sri.com site risks directory also contains the most recent > PostScript copy of PGN's comprehensive historical summary of one liners: > get illustrative.PS -- Lance.