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From: throop@aurs01.UUCP (Wayne Throop)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: Re: A GNU Makefile (was: ... header files **and** inline management)
Message-ID: <59598@aurs01.UUCP>
Date: 21 Feb 91 20:17:20 GMT
References: <1991Feb5.180503.24515@mathcs.sjsu.edu> <3787@lupine.NCD.COM> <1991Feb20.083327.2028@eua.ericsson.se> <664@necssd.NEC.COM>
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> harrison@necssd.NEC.COM (Mark Harrison)
>>,>>>> euamts@eua.ericsson.se (Mats Henricson) writes:

>>>> ... but I think [..automatic .h generation..] is a bad idea. [...]
>>>> That is why I design the header file first, and then the .cc-file.
>> [...] you don't have to change it *that* often 
> I agree with Mats on this.  [...]  I have more confidence in someone
> who emphasizes generating a code stub from an interface defintion than
> in someone who wants to write the code first and then generate the
> interface.

Just because one edits a .cc file first is not an indication that one
is "writing the code first".  As I said before (in a different branch
of this discussion), I write the .cc file as a file full of stubs
(using templates to save typing, of course), and automatically generate
the .h files from the .cc files.  The advantages this gives me are:

    1) it becomes easier to enhance interfaces (on those rare
       ocasions where it is needed).  (Just because something is
       rare is no reason to make it a headache.)
    2) I have one-stop-shopping for editing things, as the interface
       and (eventually) implementation are presented together, 
       and teased apart by automated tools.

Now, note that both of these benefits are somewhat weak.  The first
has small leverage because of its (intended) rarity.  The second problem
can be held at bay by a multiple-window editing tool (emacs, X-windows
plus editor, whatever).

But however marginal the benefits, I still think the benefits are
actual, not illusory, and are worthwhile.

Wayne Throop       ...!mcnc!aurgate!throop