For loop step size

[fmanning@netmedia.com]

Concerning the restriction on step sizes in for-loops -- I'm writing a
Basic compiler for a small 8-bit microcontroller. The language is a
subset of Visual Basic. Since the processor is small, time is short and
VB is big, we can only implement a small subset of the language.

Being an Ada-phile, I naturally tend to pick a subset that is as
Ada-like as possible.

For example, strong typing is used, for-next loops are restricted to
discrete types, and the step size is restricted to +/-1. The step size
restriction in particular has caused some consternation.

I read through the Jan 97 thread in cla when this subject came up, and
I think I understand the basic rationale for the Ada restriction --
that is, programmers are prone to making mistakes in getting loops
to terminate correctly if step sizes are arbitrary.

I guess my question is whether this same rationale makes sense for
a language as different as VB. Looking for ammunition...

-- Frank Manning

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