Re: signature like constructions

[aek@vib.usr.pu.ru (Alexander Kopilovitch)]

Robert I. Eachus wrote:

> When the requirements change, that is not a 
> reason not to understand and document the current requirements.  And if 
> one of those requirements is to live within a body of existing code, 
> that is from one point of view just another requirement.  Of course, 
> when I do requirements analysis, as far as I am concerned, figuring out 
> which requirements are likely to change and preparing for that evolution 
> is part of the process.  This is why I keep saying you should program in 
> the problem space rather than some solution space.  The problem space 
> evolves much more slowly than the problems you are asked to solve.

Do you mean that the "Paradise may be regained"... if not for average programmer
then at least for an average star -:) ? That is, that by training yourself
in that direction, and keeping your nerve, it is possible to follow even
rapidly and rather randomly changing requirements with proper documentation
and analysis in real time, inside a not very friendly environment?

Do you mean that the common defensive strategy against probable but unpredictable
changes of requirements -- that is, keeping yourself not too near to them, and
more relying upon agreed tools (which seem less vulnerable for spontaneuos
customer's or management's dances) -- is not the best strategy, and that it is
really possible to chase a moving/jumping problem, all the time at near distance,
without significant delay?

> [...]
> I personally see it as an advantage to understanding not only the 
> languages you may program in, but how they map to machine code, and how 
> the actual computer implements that ISA.  If you need efficient code, 
> you need to understand all of these.  Unfortunately today finding people 
> who understand the problem domain and the programming language is hard 
> enough.  Adding an understanding of ISAs and machine architecture to 
> that is very rare--but it can work seeming miracles.

You have seen the miracles being used more that in one or two cases -- so you
are lucky. I think that most of us feel that the miracles, if happen, will be
most probably betrayed. That's why "Adding an understanding of ISAs and machine
architecture to that is very rare" indeed.



Alexander Kopilovitch                      aek@vib.usr.pu.ru
Saint-Petersburg
Russia