Re: Are You Guys Serious?
- Posted by Hawke <mdeland at NWINFO.NET> Sep 10, 1998
- 578 views
> 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'