Re: Are You Guys Serious?

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> Cuny, David wrote:
> >> "types, type checking"
> >
> > I'm going mad! Please, somebody that knows Jiri, tell me he is
> > just kidding!
>
> Why is this kidding? I've yet to define my own data type. The main
> reason for types seems to be to allow the compiler to optimize an
> expression. Since when is doing the work of a compiler considered a
> good thing?

I've been *really* hesitant about joining this thread...
for this one I gotta...
I hate to bring this up, but unless you define every expression,
be it numeric or string in nature, as an object, not as an integer,
or sequence or even constant...
unless you use 'object foo, bar...etc' for every single value
that you want the interpreter to remember, well, your doing
the work of the compiler, in your words. You are using
'type'.  I have seen your code dave, and this isn't a personal
attack either, but you mentioned that you have yet to define
your own data type when in reality, and in effect, you have.
Ever use integer? I've seen you use integer.  When you did
that, you 'created' your 'own data type' for that particular
value you wanted to have the interpreter remember, and helped
the interpreter optimize an expression and evaluation thereof.

Doing some of the interpreters work *is* a good thing. We all
do it at one point or another.  Programs are things we create,
for computers to execute, with users getting the benefit of
the output created.  Users like things to run smoothly, unless
they are masochists (or wierder?).  If we as programmers can
help along the program so that the computer can execute it
in a more efficient and stable manner, the user gets more
benefits from the enhanced output created due to our assisting
the interpreter.  No one has unlimited ram, and this is why we
choose integer when we can.  No one has unlimited time, and
this is why we try to choose sequence over object when we can.
The moment you do that, you are creating data types.
*shrug*

--take care all
--Hawke'

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