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From: Bernd.Goetz@p21.f815.n302.z2.fidonet.org (Bernd Goetz)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.modula2
Subject: Re: Why no ** operator in Modula2?
Message-ID: <1413.284BAAE1@puddle.fidonet.org>
Date: 1 Jun 91 07:38:17 GMT
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Hi Debora..

 DW> The question came up in class today: Why is there no ** or ^ (x to the
 DW> nth power) operator in standard Modula2? To make you start your own
 DW> private module collection of goodies? Because it is machine
 DW> dependant???

I am a student of computer science at the federal institute of technology in
zurich. as you know, Wirth is doing his stuff here. so we hear some inside
informations here and there.

now the most possible answer to your question:

because taking functions liker power into the language makes the compiler
bigger!!!

note: Wirth: a compiler has to be as small as possible (see also Oberon).

for my opinion this is a good solution for compiler writers and it is easy to
port such a compiler (in comparision to e.g. a ADA-compiler). decentralism
(hm?)

Read ya
Bernd Goetz


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