Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!munnari.oz.au!uhccux!waikato!coms2269 From: coms2269@waikato.ac.nz (Brent C Summers) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: Development vs Engineering Message-ID: <2043.27232d06@waikato.ac.nz> Date: 22 Oct 90 04:31:50 GMT References: <32087@athertn.Atherton.COM> <32084@athertn.Atherton.COM> <27696@bellcore.bellcore.com> <2450009@hpfcmgw.HP.COM> <84754@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> <5682@stpst <11923@puc Followup-To: <11923@pucc.princeton.edu> Lines: 31 Distribution: comp Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand Lines: 27 EGNILGES@pucc.Princeton.EDU (Ed Nilges) writes: > I like collections of source programs like NUMERICAL RECIPES... > too bad there aren't more. Note that there is no reason why > such collections can't be distributed in both source and object > form to keep nonexperts happy (although I suspect the real reason > for an object-code-only policy is not to avoid confusing nonexperts: > I suspect it is to keep people in the dark about (1) your trade > secrets and (2) the poor quality of your code.) True these are both possible reasons for object-only distribution, but consider the reliability and standardisation issues also. If (for instance) the ISO Modula-2 Library standard is ever finished, I expect to be able to walk into an organisation and - while initially ignorant of their methods and local standards - at least be comfortable with the standard library I know and hate. Distribution in source enables "programmer reassurance", but not as much as formal verification (or automated verification even?) might, and it leaves the door open to tampering with "standard" software tools/materials. I can't find it in my heart to believe that the majority of programmers will resist for long the temptation to "just tweak this a bit so it'll do what I want..." thus ruining not only that implementation, but also eventually the entire standard. +-bcs, U of Waikato, NZ--------------------------------------------------+ | "Now if only I could get Comp. Serv. to give me a sane username..." | | All opinions expressed are, of course, solely my own errors. | +-------------------------------------------------coms2269@waikato.ac.nz-+