Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!munnari.oz.au!metro!ipso!runxtsa!edward
From: edward@runxtsa.runx.oz.au (Edward Birch)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: C++ coding standards (Comment needed)
Keywords: standard,variables
Message-ID: <2161@runxtsa.runx.oz.au>
Date: 12 Aug 90 02:46:29 GMT
Organization: RUNX Unix Timeshare.  Sydney, Australia.
Lines: 33

A friend of mine works with a large organization where they have defined a
standard that "variables must be declared where first used".

I think that this is an absolutely insane standard for the following reasons:

	o The declarations clutter the algorithm. 

	o Most C and C++ programmers are used to seeing variables declared
	  in one place. I believe that changing this will only add to
	  maintenance costs and development time.
	  C has had the ability to declare variables at the start of each
	  block. How often is it used ? Why isn't it used ?

	o I have found that declaring variables where they are first used
	  significantly adds to the development time of code. With little
	  benefit to the over all presentation of the code.

	o I also find that declaring variables at the start of functions
	  in one spot to significantly adds to the readability of the code.

I would be extremely interested in feedback.

Edward Birch

Phone:  +612 2 958-2119

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