Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!lll-crg!lll-lcc!ucdavis!ucbvax!hplabs!qantel!ptsfa!gilbbs!mc68020
From: mc68020@gilbbs.UUCP (Tom Keller)
Newsgroups: net.sources.bugs
Subject: Re: Using identifiers with more than 7 chars. #$%@
Message-ID: <57@gilbbs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 9-Mar-86 05:29:16 EST
Article-I.D.: gilbbs.57
Posted: Sun Mar  9 05:29:16 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Mar-86 04:12:05 EST
References: <526@dsi1.UUCP> <2214@teddy.UUCP> <46@gilbbs.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Gil's Place, Santa Rosa CA
Lines: 34
Summary: clarification of the meaning of "portable"


  I believe that it is time for some clarification.  When someone tells me that
a piece of code is portable across UNIX implementations, I believe that this
entitles me to certain expectations.

  If the author of a PD piece of software does not choose to take the trouble
necessary to ensure portability, this is certainly a valid choice.  But do *NOT*
then refer to the damned thing as being portable!  It isn't!


  It is easy enough for you filk with the fancy systems (especially the spoiled
4.xBSD-ers) to talk about bogus compilers.  If you are targetting your code for
BSD installations, *FINE*.  Just tell us so, and quit pretending to write
"portable" code.  I realize that this is sacrilege, but there are one HELL
of a lot of non 4.xBSD and SYS V.x sites out there.

  In fact, if you want to base the argument *SOLELY* on numbers, the largest
installed base of UNIX systems consists of the TRS-80 Modle 16 (and now the
Model 6000), running an uhGhodly meld of V7 and SYS III!

  (no, I don't expect many, if any, authors to attempt to make their code
portable to these systems...just trying to make a point)


-- 

====================================

Disclaimer:  I hereby disclaim any and all responsibility for disclaimers.

tom keller
{ihnp4, dual}!ptsfa!gilbbs!mc68020

(* we may not be big, but we're small! *)