Re: Re: Pragmatic Requirements Summary : update

On Mon, 4 Aug 2003, Eric Merritt wrote:

> > The question is: C works perfectly well for low-level driver 
> > programming.  Why invent another language which tries to 
> > solve an already solved problem? 
>
> Becuase in general we want one language in which we can do both low
> level and high level work. Even when you are doing low-level work it
> would be nice to work in a hll in those areas of the application that
> don't need direct access to memory or other low level features.

Speaking as someone who does drivers/embedded code professionally, the
only way you are going to replace C in this niche is with a language that
can also be used as a hardware description language, making it easy(-ier)  
to move functionality between hardware and software.  I.e. you replace C 
and Verilog/VHDL at the same time.  As that isn't the goal here, I'd 
advice you ignore this particular problem domain and focus elsewhere.

Although this whole discussion is symptomatic of the problems with this
whole project.  You're building a bigger, better golden hammer- the one
true programming language, the only programming language you'll ever need.  
It doesn't matter if you're banging together a quick script to organize
your photolibrary, simulating a nuclear explosion, keeping track of
payroll, or writting an operating system or office suite- Pragmatic is the
language for you!  It's a dessert topping *and* a floor wax!

My understanding of the pragmatic philosophy was 180 degrees seperate.  
Being pragmatic meant not beleiving in golden hammers- *any* golden 
hammer.  You learn a new language a year so you know a lot of languages, 
and can use the right one for the job. Tip #17 is "program close to the 
problem domain".  Up to and including inventing new languages that are 
even closer to the problem domain.  

Brian



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