Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!mcsun!ukc!stl!stc!grooke
From: grooke@tcom.stc.co.uk (Gill Rooke)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: Standard C++ Libraries.
Summary: I want reactions to a controversial statement, that NIH is good for you.
Message-ID: <1991Jun18.190322.7248@tcom.stc.co.uk>
Date: 18 Jun 91 19:03:22 GMT
Sender: Dr Gil Rooke
Organization: BNR Europe, New Southgate, London, N11 1HB
Lines: 20

I believe that 'c' really became a viable language when it picked up what is now the standard 'C' library. I also believe that this grew up on either Unix or on the PDP8/11 systems; were they distinguishable at that time. 

Anyway, 'C' without the standard libraries is unthinkable nowdays. Apart from the vagueness of my beliefs, I doubt that these statements are controversial. The next few may be.

1. 'C++' will not become a viable language until it also adopts a standard library.

2.  Any library adopted should be closed (with a top class called 'object' similar to smalltalk or NIHCL) to provide
	exception handling
	management of dynamic linking
	general system control and consistency.

3.  There should only be one such closed library, otherwise you get these features managed twice over.

4.  There are memory and run time overheads, but these will have to be accepted.

5. The standard library should be the NIHCL or its DOS subset.

I will now dig a little hole and bury myself. When the shouting dies I will summarise the responses. I am interested in knowing where and how to start a C++ programming team for future reference.

Gil  (: