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Subject: Re: why learn C?
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From: Ray Blaak <rAYblaaK@STRIPCAPStelus.net>
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Date: Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:39:53 GMT
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Date: 2007-04-07T00:39:53+00:00
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jayessay <nospam@foo.com> writes:

> Hyman Rosen <hyrosen@mail.com> writes:
> 
> > Ray Blaak wrote:
> > > it is still the case that "programming" like this with templates
> >  > is fundamentally strange. One has to think very differently compared
> >  > to the usual programming languages.
> > 
> > It is a declarative style involving immutable objects and pattern
> > matching. I understand that this is similar to the way functional
> > programming languages work in some respects. Thinking differently
> > isn't necessarily a flaw, either.
> 
> Declarative isn't the same as functional.  But even if it were, what's
> the point?  I'm not sure, but I believe Ray's point was that using a
> limited type language to do general computation is, shall we say,
> convoluted.

Right. I have no problem with declarative programming.

C++ template programming, however, achieves its ends as a "fortunate"
accidental side effect.

If the purpose is to do compile time computation, then the language should be
designed to be clear and understandable for that purpose, whether declarative
or functaional.

Note I am not saying that C++ templates are in themselves confusing for their
original purpose of parametized code generation (although they can be
justifiably criticized), but only that their application to the purpose of
compile time computation is confusing.

-- 
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.