Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!pitt!willett!ForthNet
From: ForthNet@willett.pgh.pa.us (ForthNet articles from GEnie)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: X3J14 Holding Pattern Here
Message-ID: <2687.UUL1.3#5129@willett.pgh.pa.us>
Date: 28 Apr 91 03:32:36 GMT
Organization: (n.) to be organized.  But that's not important right now.
Lines: 38

Category 10,  Topic 12
Message 58        Sat Apr 27, 1991
B.RODRIGUEZ2 [Brad]          at 21:24 EDT
 
I have to declare my sympathies with John Wavrik here.  I, too, have found
sections of the BASIS to be vague and "fuzzy."

From JAX:
 > BASIS 15 works, John.  I've got it running.

Sure you do, Jax.  The problem is, you've got it running under a number of
your personal assumptions -- some of which you may not even be aware of.  The
problem with fuzzy language is that people can see their expectations
confirmed in it, and conclude that the language is precise, because they
"know" what it means.

I'm worried that several years down the road we'll find that several major
systems have implemented major sections of ANS Forth in incompatible ways. 
(We've seen this before, gang.)  Then the recriminations will fly and everyone
will accuse everyone else of violating the standard.

Also from JAX:
 > Implement or shut up.

Gee, I'd love to, Jax, but as a working Forth *applications* programmer, I
don't have the time.  It must be nice to get paid for implementing BASIS15,
but please realize that others are not as fortunate as you.

- Brad
 Brad Rodriguez        | brad%candice@maccs.uucp      (God willing)
 B.RODRIGUEZ2 on GEnie | brad%candice@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca
 "Shoes for industry!" | bradford@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca  (archaic)

-----
This message came from GEnie via willett.  You *cannot* reply to the author
using e-mail.  Please post a follow-up article, or use any instructions
the author may have included (USMail addresses, telephone #, etc.).
Report problems to: dwp@willett.pgh.pa.us _or_ uunet!willett!dwp