Seven Original Sins of K&R

[Rob Healey]

In article <12777 at sdcc6.ucsd.edu> 75746.3411 at compuserve.com writes:
>The author of this does not have access to the news groups.
>He asked me to post this and see what comments it generates.
>Any correspondence should be sent to him at the internet address
>included in the header.
>
>              Seven Original Sins of K&R
>                 by Philip J. Erdelsky
>                Compuserve: 75746,3411
>          Internet: 75746.3411 at compuserve.com
>                  September 22, 1990
>
	
	Just general comment on the whole document:

	C wasn't designed to be a general purpose language, it was
	designed to help in the porting of an OS. C is a language
	that is more useful for OS work than for intro to programming
	101. C is also not for people who have traditionally had their
	hands held by a compiler, i.e. strong typing and a plethora
	of data types. C is best used in situations where you need
	to avoid strong typing rather than encourage it.

	Most of the complaints in this article would be best solved if the
	author used the correct language for the task, one with strong
	typing and features that held your hands along the way so you
	didn't have to think as hard or be as careful.

	C isn't the only language in the world, use the language that
	best fits your need. These people who want A language to be
	all things to all applications are attacking the problem from
	the wrong angle.

	If I want quick, simple and dirty BASIC does a good job. If
	I want to do a device driver and feel too lazy to use assembly
	I'll use C. If I want to do database work I'll use SQL or
	a 4GL. If I want to do expert systems I'll use LISP, scheme
	or an OOL. As the man said:

		"The right tool for the right job"

	Rather than turning C into the Ada from HELL, use a better
	language for your needs.

		'Nuff said,

			-Rob

Speaking for self, not company.