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From: brnstnd@kramden.acf.nyu.edu (Dan Bernstein)
Newsgroups: comp.editors
Subject: Re: Sticky Note Comments In Programs
Message-ID: <2116:Dec3120:16:4290@kramden.acf.nyu.edu>
Date: 31 Dec 90 20:16:42 GMT
References: <20903@oolong.la.locus.com>
Organization: IR
Lines: 30

Isn't this normally called ``hypertext''? A document may contain
references to other files. The references are displayed as single,
compact symbols. When the user somehow activates a symbol, the
corresponding file is displayed. Files may be displayed by programs
other than the text editor, of course; those other programs support the
same conventions.

I wouldn't like to program with hypertext because my printer can't deal
with sticky yellow notes.

In article <20903@oolong.la.locus.com> jfr@locus.com (Jon Rosen) writes:
> Of course, we would need several things, not the least of which would
> be new types of file support, editor support and possibly compiler
> support...

Nah, only the editor has to change. You might, for instance, have
/*FILE:foo*/ be a reference to file foo. It would be displayed as a dot
or inverse star or whatever. When the user selects it, foo pops up.

> This would also tend to limit the portability of a program
> commented in this fashion...

Why?

> But the productivity increase might
> be enough to offset these penalties...

I doubt it.

---Dan