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From: cstacy@spacy.boston.ma.us (Christopher C Stacy)
Subject: Re: Please help with research
In-Reply-To: smosha@most.magec.com's message of Mon, 14 Aug 1995 13:16:18 GMT
Message-ID: <CSTACY.95Aug16163823@world.spacy.boston.ma.us>
Sender: cstacy@world.std.com (Christopher C Stacy)
Organization: Christopher C. Stacy
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Date: Wed, 16 Aug 1995 20:38:23 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.lang.ada:33989 comp.lang.apl:7198 comp.lang.basic.misc:8179 comp.lang.c:151652 comp.lang.c++:144299 comp.lang.clos:3385 comp.lang.eiffel:10407 comp.lang.forth:23551 comp.lang.fortran:31289 comp.lang.lisp:18797 comp.lang.misc:22719 comp.lang.modula2:12356 comp.lang.prolog:13661 comp.lang.smalltalk:27266 comp.lang.objective-c:4348 comp.lang.functional:6200

The implementation of "trivial" problems in Lisp could depend
greatly on the (as yet unstated) requirments or goals.
For example, is the program allowed to CONS or not?
I would be reluctant to submit a program to be compared and
evaluated without knowing the criteria by which it would be judged.

The going theory is that the survey author has not provided the
critera because either he is not a sophisticated enough programmer
to understand that kind of issue, or maybe has some hidden adgenda.

Comparative surveys of complex technical issues frequently present
poor, simplistic analysis, with attendant bogus conclusions.
Besides creating confusion among unsuspecting readers, who might
imagine an author to represent an authority on a subject, the resultant
misinformation increases the difficulty for people who do
technology-based business.

On the other hand, a responsibly written, well thought-out survey
with specific criteria, could be very useful to everyone.

It's impossible to guess, with the limited information, who we are
really dealing with here and what they really want.  Taken at face
value, I would second someone's earlier suggestion that the author
write articles in areas where he is more knowledgable.

If this is really some kid trying to understand their homework.  
I would be willing to provide some guidance.  I could write the needed
programs in APL, Basic, C, C++, Lisp/CLOS, Fortran, Pascal, Prolog,
Smalltalk, Objective C, and some other languages, and with some effort
could also do the requested Eiffel, ADA, Modula, and Forth.
Hint (is the fellow even out there?): I'm not going to do it FOR you.
