Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!willett!ForthNet
From: ForthNet@willett.UUCP (ForthNet articles from GEnie)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: ANS TC Magnet for Division
Message-ID: <1315.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>
Date: 11 Jul 90 03:01:58 GMT
Organization: String, Scotch tape, and Paperclips.  (in Pgh, PA)
Lines: 35


 Date: 07-10-90 (03:44)              Number: 3483 (Echo)
   To: DENNIS RUFFER                 Refer#: NONE
 From: GENE LEFAVE                     Read: NO
 Subj: DIVISION                      Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE

 Dennis,

 I recently read the transcripts of the Genie RT conference regarding 
 division.  I found it incredible that the ANSI committee is spending so much
 time and energy on what is for the vast majority of programmers a non-issue.

 I have never run across a programming language that attempts to provide a 
 different division operator than that provided by the hardware.  I can't 
 imagine a programmer ever expecting the language to compensate in this way.
 I checked the manuals of a couple of languages and can't find one that 
 defines the result of MOD over negative numbers.

 I hope the committee will decide not to decide rather then clutter things up
 with more words in the dictionary.  We are not trying to define ADA here, 
 and if we are then DOD should be paying for it.

 The idea that a standard program should run on every interpreter is a severe
 requirement that could sink the entire process.   I think that the committe 
 members should lighten up and finish the job before they give up in 
 frustration.  I don't think that any one expects perfection at the expense 
 of some type of agreement.

 Gene

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