Newsgroups: comp.lang.prolog
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From: paulward@torolab.vnet.ibm.com (paulward)
Subject: Re: speed of prolog
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Message-ID: <PAULWARD.95Jun10183535@skyhawk.torolab.vnet.ibm.com>
In-Reply-To: John Fletcher's message of 7 Jun 1995 15:38:48 GMT
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 1995 22:35:35 GMT
References: <3pam2e$9jh@chuangtsu.acns.carleton.edu> <3pptgj$6do@percy.cs.bham.ac.uk>
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>>>>> "John" == John Fletcher <J.S.Fletcher@bnr.co.uk> writes:

John> paulward@torolab.vnet.ibm.com (paulward) wrote:
>> Please don't take this as a major flame, but a statement of why Prolog
>> is perceived as absolutely irrelevant by so many people in industry.
>> .....

John> Pretty much the same rationale people apply when they contend that 
John> relational databases are unsuitable for their applications :-) They
John> generally go on to define their candidate "real problems" (usually
John> storing CAD models, geographic data etc.) as if no other applications
John> mattered.

Not really the same at all.  The proposed standard of measurement that
you deleted was the eight queens problem.  Name a single industry
application of the eight queens problem.

John> Of course we both know that speed is not the only consideration ...
John> there's also maintainability, productivity ... (any of this sounding
John> familiar yet?)

Certainly.  I've yet to see evidence that Prolog is more maintainable
than other languages, or even of higher productivity.  It is better
than some, and worse than others, in the realm of productivity.  It's
maintainability is unproven as no one have writtien substantial
applications in Prolog.

John> John Fletcher

--
-- Paul (paulward@vnet.ibm.com)   | A barbarian that requires a justification
DB2/PE Development.               | will use the nearest appealing one.  Blame
Shouldn't there be a shorter word | the barbarian, not his justification for
for the concept "monosyllabic".   | his acts.
