Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!aimt!breck
From: breck@aimt.UUCP (Robert Breckinridge Beatie)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: The development tools (was: Configuration Management)
Message-ID: <644@aimt.UUCP>
Date: 23 Feb 88 21:10:26 GMT
References: <497@aimt.UUCP> <5257@well.UUCP> <2984@metavax.UUCP> <2673@ihlpe.ATT.COM>
Organization: AIM Technology, Palo Alto, CA
Lines: 41
Summary: We should change UNIX? ... Obviously!

In article <2673@ihlpe.ATT.COM>, daryl@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Daryl Monge) writes:
> In article <1252@eneevax.UUCP>, noise@eneevax.UUCP (Johnson Noise) writes:
> > In article <2984@metavax.UUCP> chris@metavax.UUCP (Chris Collins) writes:
> > >It seems to me that if Unix is _the_ system for programmers, as it has
> > >been described to me several times, why does this idiocy exist?
> > 	BTW Unix is THE system, for programmers or otherwise, it does
> > have one obvious drawback: it assumes the user is competent.
> 
> This gets to me every time I see it posted.  UNIX is the best development
> environment IN TOTAL that I have used, but
> 	IT IS NOT PERFECT.
> 	IT CAN BE IMPROVED.
> The above smacks as a "If you don't like it, you must be a bozo" message.

Yes, it does smack of "..." but then the original comment about "idiocy"
smacks of "Unix is an idiots environment.  (substitute favorite monolithic
system here) is the system for real programmers."  This bothers me about as
much as the other message.

> Lets see more discussion on things to be IMPROVED.
>	[Interesting list deleted in the interest of brevity]
> But please, when someone writes "this does not do what I want or expect",
> don't reply "Its UNIX, love it or lump it".  Lets improve it!  Or at least
> discuss the relative merits of possible methods of operation.

Yes, but then isn't it obvious?  Isn't the real power of UNIX in that it
is an environment that encourages tool building?  If a tool (and the linker
is just another tool) doesn't do what you want or need, then build a better
tool.  That is the UNIX philosophy?  (well, at least my interpretation)  If
you want to get something done, then use the tools that UNIX provides to
build a better tool.  

The only restriction that seems desireable is "LEAVE THE KERNEL ALONE!".
Don't add "just one more system call", especially not just because it seems
"a neat idea".  The more baroque the kernel gets, the less clear it becomes.
The UNIX kernel provides a delightful interface to an abstract machine.  It
seems an awful shame to sew a bag on its side.
-- 
Breck Beatie
{uunet,ames!coherent}!aimt!breck
"Sloppy as hell Little Father.  You've embarassed me no end."