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000011_icon-group-sender _Thu Jul 3 06:31:21 1997.msg
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Received: from kingfisher.CS.Arizona.EDU by cheltenham.cs.arizona.edu; Tue, 8 Jul 1997 08:44:12 MST
Received: by kingfisher.CS.Arizona.EDU; (5.65v3.2/1.1.8.2/08Nov94-0446PM)
id AA24754; Tue, 8 Jul 1997 08:44:11 -0700
Posted-Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 06:31:21 -0500 (CDT)
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 06:31:21 -0500 (CDT)
From: Chris Tenaglia <cdt@post.its.mcw.edu>
To: icon-group@cs.arizona.edu
Subject: re:scripting paper
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Status: RO
I read the paper and I kind of thought, what's the point?
It's not system vs scripting. I think there will always
be a need for low level programming to build operating
systems and drivers for new devices. It seems like C is
the assembler of the current era. The next level may
be applications. Each language is a tool designed to be
applied to certain tasks. Icon is a good general tool for
file filtering and algorythms. But I wouldn't use it to
write a word processor. DEC had a language called TPU that
ideally suited to writing editors and word processors.
Writing a word processor in perl is even more ridiculous.
That would be like screwing in a lightbulb with a chainsaw.
I think it's actually a matter of 'beauty'. I have come
back to icon programs after years and they are still clear
and understandible. Maybe it's because perl programmers
didn't know of any better tools, or they have some suite
of perl scripts a vendor gave them, or perhaps they have
an ill conceived corporate standard they have to adhere
to. I have yet to see a perl script that impressed me
in regard to design, clarity, and maintainability.
I have seen beautiful programs in IBM 360 assembler,
BASIC, COBOL, and pascal. I suppose beauty is less
important for one time throw away code and machine
generated programs. But beauty is such a subjective
matter but it's probably worth discussing or even demonstrating.
Chris Tenaglia (system manager) | The future foretold,
Medical College of Wisconsin | The past explained,
8701 W. Watertown Plank Rd. | The present largely appologized for.
Milwaukee, WI 53226 (414)456-8765 | Organon to the Doctor