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From: vicc@unix.cie.rpi.edu (VICC Project (Rose))
Newsgroups: comp.lang.icon
Subject: Re: var params
Message-ID: <7319@rpi.edu>
Date: 14 Sep 89 15:31:00 GMT
References: <1027@m3.mfci.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@rpi.edu
Distribution: comp
Lines: 34

I too miss var parameters, unfortuanately they require a new data type (to some
extent at least) to implement.

I am planning on playing arround with adding some features to Icon and I would
like to know what people are interested in and what people have worked on
and what their experiences have been. I will be working on the ms-dos version.

What I plan to play with are:

   Arrays - static sized multiple dimnensioned arrays, will be more space
            and time efficient than lists. A procedure will be used to generate
            an empty array.

   A range data type that can be converted into that needed for subscripting
   strings. (I'm not sure this is really needed, and I'm not sure that the
   current string range mechanism won't work, I have to read the implementation
   book.

   variable parameters, and maybe general pointer variables

   a system() function like I described earlier

anyone who has comments on this please feel free to contact me. I've always
wanted to hack with a compiler and Icon seems just right for that, complete
source code, a manual which describes the designers philosophy behind
everything etc. I wish to maintain as much of Icon's original philosophy as
possible in my work.

also, what are the additional documents which come with the implementation
documentation package? I may need to order them, I've signed out the
implementation book from my school library (they have a neat cs section,
they have the Snobol implementation book also)

Frank Filz