Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!willett!ForthNet
From: ForthNet@willett.UUCP (ForthNet articles from GEnie)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Thoughts on Forth
Message-ID: <1443.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>
Date: 1 Aug 90 02:30:34 GMT
Organization: String, Scotch tape, and Paperclips.  (in Pgh, PA)
Lines: 32

Category 18,  Topic 12
Message 29        Mon Jul 30, 1990
D.RUFFER [Dennis]            at 23:00 EDT
 
Re: dwp@willett.UUCP (Doug Philips)

 > Is there not a perfection to adaptability?

Adaptability allows you or I to create a system that is perfectly matched to
our individual needs.  Adaptability gives us the power to create a seamless
integration with the machine.  Adaptability allows us to accomodate any new
hardware and software ideas easily.

But does adaptablity produce perfection?

Adaptability means choices that the user must select from.  In Forth,
adaptability generally means that you must even do it yourself.  Adaptability
means that it will be adapted to fit its environment, and that these
adaptations are rarely the same from implementation to implementation to say
nothing about the variations in environments.  Adaptability implies minimal
standards which produce portability problems.  Generally, adaptability means
hard to learn.

So, is our view of perfection flawed?  As individuals, we have the ability to
make what we need.  As individuals, this is enough, but is it sufficient? 
Will the common man/woman ever understand the power that we enjoy?  Will they
ever care?

What is perfection?   DaR
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