Re: Computer Language Shootout

["Robert I. Eachus" <rieachus@attbi.com>]

Samuel Tardieu wrote:
>>>>>>"Bob" == Robert A Duff <Robert> writes:
>>>>>
> 
> Bob> True, but I think the design goal of Text_IO ought to be
> Bob> correctness, and convenience for the programmer, not efficiency.
> Bob> I'm sick of programs that have arbitrary line-length limits.
> Bob> I'll happily pay a little efficiency cost to correct that.  And
> Bob> in the cases where efficiency matters, a different strategy can
> Bob> be used (namely, the Get_Line that takes a fixed-length buffer,
> Bob> or a get-next-token kind of approach, which doesn't care about
> Bob> line lengths).

> You can always use Ada.Strings.Unbounded.Text_IO.Get_Line and convert
> it to a string *after you check the length*. You will achieve the same
> effect and will not have to rely on (expensive or unreliable) stack
> checks.

A properly declared Get_Line function would make a reasonable addition 
to Ada.Text_IO.  (And probably similar functions in the nested 
generics.)  But the RM certainly wouldn't mandate any particular 
implementation.  I also think there should be a Get_Line procedure with 
an Unbounded_String parameter, and the same for Put_Line.

-- 

                                                 Robert I. Eachus

�In an ally, considerations of house, clan, planet, race are 
insignificant beside two prime questions, which are: 1. Can he shoot? 2. 
Will he aim at your enemy?� -- from the Laiden novels by Sharon Lee and 
Steve Miller.