Re: Computer Language Shootout

[Robert A Duff <bobduff@shell01.TheWorld.com>]

"Jean-Pierre Rosen" <rosen@adalog.fr> writes:

> This one reads a line with no length limit:
> 
> function Get_Line return String is
>    Buffer : String (1..500); -- or whatever
>    Last : Natural;
> begin
>    Get_Line (Buffer, Last);
>    if Last < Buffer'Last then
>       return Buffer (1..Last);
>    else
>       return Buffer & Get_Line;
>    end if;
> end Get_Line;
> 
> In most cases, there will be only one call, while having no upper limit.
> The size of the buffer is just a matter of optimization.

This is a nice trick, but I suggest you grow the buffer exponentially,
in case lines are very long.  Like, double it on each recursion level.

Too bad this was not included in Text_IO itself.  It would save
beginners a lot of trouble.  Sigh.

- Bob