Re: Community Input for the Maintenance and Revision of the Ada Programming Language

["Dmitry A. Kazakov" <mailbox@dmitry-kazakov.de>]

On 2017-09-13 19:39, G.B. wrote:
> On 13.09.17 09:30, Dmitry A. Kazakov wrote:
>> On 12/09/2017 23:04, G.B. wrote:
>>
>>>     X := new Message' ("Help me");
>>>     Y := new Messagio'("Aiuta me");
>>>
>>>     --  entering Little Italy:
>>>
>>>     X := Y;
>>
>> Shudder.
>>
>>> So, if you want to perpetuate the hazards of strings, ask the ARG
>>> for a ready made storage pool for strings.
>>
>> What is so specific about string storage pool?
> 
> The fact that the pool will be there, doing its work without
> being noticed, to please those customers who don't like thinking
> about string handling and associated storage management.

Which work? Do you mean garbage collection here? That is not specific to 
strings and not much interesting for Ada.

> Also, IF a teacher feels inclined to teach programming using
> strings, she won't have to first teach all the things that
> are necessary to develop a deeper understanding of what
> a string actually is.

I think it is more important for students to understand the basic ideas 
of object representation along with the concept of ADT. One does not 
work without another and algorithmic costs of the choices must be 
understood from the beginning. (This is what differentiates software 
design from mathematics)

Furthermore your example exempts assignment as something special. 
Assignment is a normal type operation. Then your example sweeps object 
life time problematic under the carpet which is a key topic. It is 
important to prevent students thinking in terms of global objects. In 
fact, from the example it is hardly possible to identify objects as it 
deploys a layer of references upon original objects with ADTs of both 
mingled together in order to appear same. How are you going to explain 
all that?

-- 
Regards,
Dmitry A. Kazakov
http://www.dmitry-kazakov.de