Re: Named parameters

From: Adam Ruth (owski_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 10/30/03 

Date: 30 Oct 2003 14:14:09 -0800

Joona I Palaste <palaste@cc.helsinki.fi> wrote in message news:<bnrljd$la1$1@oravannahka.helsinki.fi>...
> Adam Ruth <owski@hotmail.com> scribbled the following:
> > Jack Klein <jackklein@spamcop.net> wrote in message news:<6r61qvcm58g0nji009veg0av982c9shmpc@4ax.com>...
> >> On 29 Oct 2003 19:35:21 -0800, owski@hotmail.com (Adam Ruth) wrote in
> >> comp.lang.c:
> >>
> >> > Hello,
> >> > [snip...]
> >> > Adam Ruth
> >>
> >> It has been discussed occasionally, on the newsgroup where it is
> >> topical, namely news:comp.std.c, which discusses the past, present,
> >> and future ANSI/ISO/IEC standard for the language. It is not really
> >> on-topic here, where the topic is the C language as it actually is.
>
> > I see the "this is off-topic" comment enough in this group to wonder
> > why that hasn't been put in the FAQ. Perhaps the name of the
> > newsgroup should change to be a bit more explicit about its topic.
>
> What, comp.lang.c isn't enough to tell you that this newsgroup is
> about the computer language C?
> Contrary to what people might think, comp.std.c is for the computer
> standard about C, not the C defined in that standard.

What is it about the name comp.lang.c that excludes my question? The
fact that there's another newsgroup that *may* be more germaine? Must
I fully grok in minute detail the "topic" of every newsgroup available
before I make a decision where to post?

What makes you think my question was about standards anyway? I ask a
question "Has there ever been talk of adding named parameters to C?"
and suddenly I'm shunted off to a standards newsgroup? My question is
plainly about C in it's most generic sense, even though an answer may
include reference to the standard. I think it's bogus to say that
this group is about what C *is*, because there are many Cs: Past,
present, and future. Not to mention the many non-standard versions
and extensions. Where better to discuss all of these incarnations in
one place?

The response I got, "It is not really on-topic here, where the topic
is the C language as it actually is." while not being rude wasn't very
polite either. If my question really was off-topic, a
characterization I dispute, then a polite response might be, "You
would probably get a better answer in comp.std.c, we don't really
discuss those issues much here.".

Just my $2/100. Is it too off topic to discuss the topic of the
newsgroup? I hope not.

Adam Ruth

Relevant Pages

  • Re: [OT] Mystery: static variables & performance
    ... >> This newsgroup discusses the ISO standard C language. ... This standard *defines* the C language which is the topic of this ... > enlightened suggestions through responses and private emails. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: [FAQs, links] Off Topic: Stack vs. Heap
    ... >> so that we can redirect to to the appropriate newsgroup. ... (local variables), 'static' (file scope variables, ... That's what the 'standard' is all about. ...
    (comp.lang.cpp)
  • Re: curious about array initialization.
    ... programming language other than C what they think of this definition. ... It's the definition in the C standard. ... The C language is what we discuss in this newsgroup. ... with things not defined by the ISO C standards. ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: How often do you read the C standard?
    ... people on this newsgroup supposedly get paid to write professionally. ... but when I think of a strictly conforming ISO ... you need to deviate from the standard to get ...
    (comp.lang.c)
  • Re: help me learn C
    ... Chris Hills said: ... Those of us who /do/ use standard C would like a newsgroup in which we can ... But C90 is still a viable standard, and whilst I accept that there might be ... about Unix, Linux, the Mac, Windows, windows, window panes, greenhouses, ...
    (comp.lang.c)