Re: Ada, Eiffel, & language evolution

[macrakis@marat.osf.fr (Stavros Macrakis)]

In article <668@sagpd1.UUCP>, jharkins@sagpd1.UUCP (Jim Harkins) writes:
> In article <8380@hubcap.clemson.edu> wtwolfe@hubcap.clemson.edu (Bill
Wolfe) writes:
> >   There is a great need for a single production programming language 
> >   which supports good software and code engineering practices.
> 
> Yep, and there is great need for a single type of automobile.  Any idiot can
> see that not only is it extremely dangerous for a person to go from driving
> a Hyndai Excel to a Ford Aerostar, as a nation we are wasting an awful
lot ...

Although Bill Wolfe is going a bit far, standardization certainly has a
lot going
for it.  As a matter of fact, your automotive analogy is an interesting one.

Consider that all of the following elements on a car are standardized (modulo
left- versus right- hand drive):

	Placement, color, intensity of all external lights.
		(shapes and sizes have some variation)

	Placement and general shape and function of:
		steering apparatus
		braking apparatus
		acceleration apparatus
		clutch apparatus (ifdef)
		turn signal

		basic instrumentation

	Others have two or three standards (isn't it annoying?):
		how to turn on and adjust the lights
		parking/emergency brakes
		gearshift
		horn

Isn't it nice to know that whether you're driving a two-cylinder or a
twelve-cylinder
sedan, station wagon, convertible, pickup truck, ...  With two-wheel or
four-wheel
drive ...  Made in North America, Europe, or Japan ...  with a front-
middle- or rear-
motor and front- rear- or four-wheel- drive, etc. etc.

Isn't it nice that you don't have to relearn the basics?  Isn't it nice
that you can
drive your Hyundai Excel and your Ford Aerostar with the same basic
reflexes?  Isn't
it nice that everyone can tell when you want to turn left and when
you're braking?

Changing even one element can cause a lot of confusion (I almost got into an
accident because some car had its parking brake where the clutch belonged).

This is obviously not a proof that we should standardize on any one programming
language, however I think it IS a demonstration of the value of
standardization.

	-s