Re: What computer language is used a lot in the IT industry?

From: Randy Howard (randyhoward_at_FOOverizonBAR.net)
Date: 06/30/04 

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2004 06:49:03 GMT

In article <2tk4e056qem9494u8b3a7n6vcrq04540du@4ax.com>, Chris@Sonnack.com
says...
> Randy Howard writes:
>
> > It's strange that such a large amount of code is written in C using
> > pointers, without such problems.
>
> And a large amount of code is written in C using pointers WITH such.

None that I care to run on a computer. Of course, if you run Windows,
you are basically forced to do so. *duck*

> That something is dangerous and error-prone does not mean that it cannot
> be used successfully by skilled people. It just means it takes more
> effort and knowledge. Or, more to the point, not nuub territory. (-:

Strange, I *never* considered production programming (not hobby programming)
as "nuub territory". Unfortunately, the recent trends are that if you
claim you are a programmer, you are. Weird. Some of these people even
write books on the topic. Horrifying.

> No, pointers--all by themselves--are a problem. NULL pointers and
> pointers to objects not the objects you think they are or off into
> random space.

They can be a problem for novices. I thought we were talking about
programmers, not students. Anyone that is a "programmer" can
understand and avoid the above, by definition. If you wish to
include imposters, then that's a different discussion.

> Don't get me wrong, I love pointers, myself. But, like chainsaws, I
> also appreciate the skill and knowledge required to use them.

Of course, couldn't agree more. Note there are no warning labels on
compilers, but there are dozens of them on chainsaws. Both can be
deadly is misused. Why is that? Why does modern society not take
such work as seriously as cutting down a cedar bush?

> > I've been teaching C (informally) to a friend lately...
>
> Not a fair yardstick. Personalized, one-on-one tutoring is the most
> effective type of teaching there is.

Hmm, that says something about our educational system, particularly
at the undergrad level, but it's not very positive. Maybe those
white-haired dudes 200 years ago with their guilds and indentured
servants knew something we've lost? 

-- 
Randy Howard    (2reply remove FOOBAR)
"The most amazing achievement of the computer software industry is its
continuing cancellation of the steady and staggering gains made by the
computer hardware industry..."   - Henry Petroski

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