Re: was Re: Ada / C++ comparison paper anymore

[Patrick Hohmeyer <pi3_1415926536@yahoo.ca>]

Mark Lundquist wrote :

> 
> For generic subprograms, it would be _really_ nice.  I'd like to be able
> to write this:
> 
[snip code]
> 
> Note:
>     (a) the instantiations are implicit (no "new" required);

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Everything automatic (auto-cast, auto-instantiations, etc)
is the root of all bugs.

I consider it one of Ada's greatest *strength* that there is no
auto-instantiation.

Because you can write :

type T1 is //whatever
type T2 is new T1;

procedure P1 is new P_Base(T1); //P_Base is generic

now T1 and T2 have the same content, but different behavior.
And you can be sure that the P1 procedure cant be called
with a T2 variable as parameter.
(Except explicit casting : P1(T1(Variable_Of_T2)); )

If you allow auto-instantiation, this strength of Ada vanishs.

BTW : I would vote for an increment operator too.
I love shortcuts, as long as they dont do things automatic.

-- 
Patrick Hohmeyer