Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!ut-sally!ut-emx!reeder From: reeder@ut-emx.UUCP (William P. Reeder) Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran Subject: Re: modules in f8x Message-ID: <1178@ut-emx.UUCP> Date: 11 Mar 88 17:37:52 GMT References: <9872@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP> Organization: University of Texas Computation Center Lines: 50 In article <9872@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP>, lamson@sierra writes: > Although > he didn't know the term "strong typing", that's what he wanted to do. > He is NOT a computer scientist, repeat , a physicist (like me). I am reminded of the quote from Alan Perlis in "Epigrams on Programming": "When someone says, 'I want a programming language in which I need only say what I wish done,' give him a lollipop." My point is: DON'T PROTECT ME FROM MY OWN STUPIDITY! Everyone seems to think that everything they use should be idiot-proof. I vehemently disagree. There is NO substitute for careful program design, coding, and debugging. If someone wants strong typing, tell them to use PASCAL or ADA or some other "computer scientist's" language. Failing that, find a compiler or program which can warn the programmer about type conflicts -- they do exist, perhaps even on the machine you and your friend are using. > I find the comments that Fortran 8x should only standardize existing > practice appalling. If the first Fortran had done that, we'd still > be writing in assembly language! I often do write in assembly language -- and for some things I like it. And I find the idea of any committee doing design work appalling. > Are these scientists saying we > cannot do anything new??? If so, we have deeper problems than the > F8x standardization. The future is out there people, let's go for it. No, we aren't saying you can't do anything new. But if you want to invent a new tool, invent a NEW tool: don't take away my old tools or bludgeon them into compliance with your ideas of how the world should look. Incidentally, I proposed in my comments to X3J3 that S8 be sent back to the drawing board with no holds barred and released as a new language, not an extension of FORTRAN. Would that make you happy? > Scott| ARPA: lamson@ge-crd.arpa > Lamson| UUCP: uunet!steinmetz!sierra!lamson -- William {Wills,Card,Weekly,Virtual} Reeder reeder@emx.utexas.edu The Looniversity of TexMex at Autism, Consternation Central, Austin TX 78712 DISCLAIMER: I speak only for myself, and usually only to myself.