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From: mc68020@gilsys.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c
Subject: Re: ANSI C commitee controversies
Message-ID: <1128@gilsys.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 25-Sep-87 18:54:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: gilsys.1128
Posted: Fri Sep 25 18:54:36 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 27-Sep-87 21:41:55 EDT
References: <9392@brl-adm.ARPA>
Organization: Consequently Computers, Santa Rosa, Ca
Lines: 32
Summary: credit where credit is due, but let's not get maudlin...

In article <9392@brl-adm.ARPA>, ESC1332%ESOC.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.EDU (K.Keyte) writes:
> 
>	[much material deleted for brevity]
>
>                   I think the ANSI 'C' team have done enough work to
> have justification for the omissions.

   Now look, the X3J11 commitee is taking a *LOT* of flack about ANSI C specs.
as might be expected.  C is a language that seems to attract more than its
fair share of highly opinionated (who, *ME*?????) users, and thanks to the
initially loose definition of the language, several major factions have 
developed.  So naturally, when a bunch of folks get together to "standardize"
the language, virtually *EVERYONE* has complaints.

   I know that I, among many others on the net (and not on the net) have jumped
in with complaints and denigrations in matters I hadn't thought through 
completely, or didn't understand correctly because I don't have access to a
copy of the draft (at any level).  This really isn't fair to the folks who put
an incredible lot of time and energy into the standization project.  For myself,
I apologize to the committee, and to the rest of the net as well.

   Now, to Karl's comment.  Keeping in mind what I have just finished saying,
I think it is inane to suggest that because the members of the committee have
done a great deal of work, we will simply ignore omissions.  SUch a suggestion
smacks of appeasement.  If there are omissions in the standard, by all means
we should bring them to the attention of the committee for consideration.  It
is possible to do so in a professional and graceful fashion, however.

-- 
Tom Keller 
VOICE  : + 1 707 575 9493
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