Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!apple!turk From: turk@Apple.COM (Ken "Turk" Turkowski) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Scene Description Standard Message-ID: <13281@goofy.Apple.COM> Date: 2 May 91 00:54:15 GMT References: <30137@rouge.usl.edu> <248@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp> <1991May1.135548.27865@mks.com> Organization: Advanced Technology Graphics, Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA, USA Lines: 19 The problem with a procedural language (like PostScript) is that the definition of the language specifies exactly how the picture is to be rendered. Procedural languages generally require a complex parser that is really a compiler that builds expression trees, etc. A declarative language does not have programming constructs, and merely describes the scene. While there are certain universally understood data types, it is up to the implementation to determine exactly what the resultant picture looks like (i.e. wireframe, anti-aliased, gouraud-shaded, light transport global illumination, etc.). If you want a programming language, use C; you'll be satisfied with nothing less! -- Ken Turkowski @ Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, CA Internet: turk@apple.com Applelink: TURK UUCP: sun!apple!turk