Re: should i learn c?
* Jeff Schwab:
coal@mailvault.com wrote:
On Mar 11, 11:15 am, Jeff Schwab <j...@schwabcenter.com> wrote:
Jorgen Grahn wrote:
In fact, if I were to learn C today, I'd go for C99. Having to
declare all variables at the top of the block is (for some reason) the
main thing that drives me nuts when I have to maintain C89 code. The
'inline' keyword is also nice when you worry about efficiency.
Sun's guidelines for Java suggest that you declare the variables at the
top of the block, even though the language doesn't require it. Java
also doesn't support inline. It helps me to think of "setting up stack
frames," rather than "declaring variables," even when I realize that the
function I'm writing will probably be inlined automatically, and
therefore not require its own stack frame at all.
I agree with your implied point that one probably shouldn't be defining
variables before one is ready to initialize them.
Sorry for butting in, but this is the second article from you in just a few
minutes (it feels like, but I've had coffee in between!) that apparently hinges
on a terminological misunderstanding.
Namely, you assume that a word can only mean one thing, and you choose some
single meaning that /does not make sense/ in the context the other guy is using
it, that is, you choose some unnatural meaning, like thinking the final g in the
word "thinking" must be referring to the gravitational constant, then protesting
that "thinkin" is spelled incorrectly and anyway what's that to do with gravity?
Instead, consider choosing the/a meaning that does make sense in any particular
context. In fact, even the C++ standard library uses such a meaning of the word
'initialize', a meaning that would make sense in the article you responded to.
No matter that I think that particular place in the standard library is hairy
and smelly, but except for argumentation it's just ungood to out of several
available meanings pick the one that makes the least sense in context.
Cheers & hth.,
- Alf
--
Due to hosting requirements I need visits to <url: http://alfps.izfree.com/>.
No ads, and there is some C++ stuff! :-) Just going there is good. Linking
to it is even better! Thanks in advance!