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Subject: Re: How to detect OS type and version?
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From: Ray Blaak <rAYblaaK@STRIPCAPStelus.net>
Organization: The Transcend
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Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 17:19:36 GMT
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Robert A Duff <bobduff@shell01.TheWorld.com> writes:
> Ray Blaak <rAYblaaK@STRIPCAPStelus.net> writes:
> > That is, the enumeration should not be built into the language, since
> > it is not at all a stable enough set of values for the long
> > term. Imagine being able to code to an updated set only every 10
> > years, which seems to be Ada's upgrade cycle.
> 
> I agree that an enum type would not work here, as a language feature.
> But neither would a string or anything else -- there is no solution
> at the language level.  This issue has to be solved by each project,
> I think.

I don't see the problem with a string value. I use: 

  System.getProperty("os.name")

in Java all the time, and it works well in practice, at least to distinguish
between the OS's that I care about.

-- 
Cheers,                                        The Rhythm is around me,
                                               The Rhythm has control.
Ray Blaak                                      The Rhythm is inside me,
rAYblaaK@STRIPCAPStelus.net                    The Rhythm has my soul.