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From: dyer@dec-vaxuum.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.lang.c
Subject: Re: exit() on VMS
Message-ID: <1235@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Wed, 19-Feb-86 11:10:41 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.1235
Posted: Wed Feb 19 11:10:41 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Feb-86 04:28:04 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 35


Re: exit() on VMS_________________________________________________

> I get the impression that VMS C was implemented by people who
> did not have much practical experience with C programming.

    Bad impression, one that certainly does not follow from an
incompatible exit() function.  I work in the same building as
the VAX C people, and they are all brave and heroic, with IQs of
at least 170.  They all know what they're doing, too.
    I've had very few problems compiling and running Unix-written
programs with VAX C.  The exit() inconsistency is, after all,
quite minor.

> Quoting from X3J11 section D.10.4.2: "Finally, control is
> returned to the host environment.  If the value of `status' is
> zero, the status returned is *successful termination*; otherwise
> an implementation-defined form of the status *unsuccessful
> termination* is returned.

    This standard wasn't around when the VAX C exit() routine was
written, but I agree that the exit() routine should be changed
now that this behavior has been cast in ANSI concrete.
		<_Jym_>
P.S.:  I have no connection with the VAX C group outside of an ad-
miration for their bravery, heroism, and high IQs.  I also do not
presume to speak for DEC, only for myself.
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::'    ::    `::       Dracut, Massachusetts      ::'    ::    `::
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