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Date:	Mon, 12 Jan 2004 18:46:29 PST8
From:	Peter Skye <pskye@peterskye.com >
Reply-To:	scoug-programming@scoug.com
To:	scoug-programming@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Programming: QA equals testing, Part One:Detection

Content Type: text/plain

Lynn H. Maxson wrote:
>
> Apparently you missed my point. As an example try:

This is just syntax, Lynn. You were proselytizing code which other
compilers could not generate. Take a look at the generated code which
PL/I actually creates from your examples. You admire the compactness
and readability of PL/I, but the generated code isn't magical.

> I didn't offer an example manipulating bit strings,
> or converting characters to bits, performing logical
> operations, and converting the result back to character.

These are done with software algorithms, not by generating magical
hardware code. Your happiness with PL/I is with its syntax. I can
write GOSUB routines in old GWBASIC that can perform these operations.

There is no magic potion here, just an ease in coding. Ah! "Coding"!

> IBM discovered that time optimization
> optimized space as well.

Really? How about

DO INDEX = 0 TO 999999; PRINT INDEX * PI; END;

It will run slightly faster if it's unrolled, but the loop is a wee bit
smaller . . .

And is the compiler smart enough to realize it can set up an internal
field and simply add PI to it on each PRINT rather than perform the
multiplication? A human programmer will see that instantly. I can
code-spam you with innumerable examples which can be easily optimized in
ways a compiler will likely miss if you're hesitant to agree with me . .
.

> the inline is a compiler option for PL/I builtin functions,
> which PL/I has instead of requiring a separate library.

And the _spec_ for this, Lynn -- shall the human Specifier blindly let
the compiler decide on the option?

- Peter

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