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From: tblanch@lookout (Todd Blanchard)
Subject: Re: C++ Productivity
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Date: Tue, 7 Feb 1995 00:19:27 GMT
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Robert Martin (rmartin@rcmcon.com) wrote:

: >In a previous post in this thread you made out that
: >most made a concious and intelligent choice to use C++, based on
: >literature, etc. However, most have just migrated from C to C++.

: Many have, yes.  But not without forethought, not blindly.

I disagree here.  In many cases, you can hardly buy a standalone C
compiler anymore, you get one with C++.  People start using the features
(incorrectly usually) and Pandoras Box is open.

: >Indeed
: >it is popular despite its shortcomings. Any assertions that C++ would
: >not be selling as well if it were overcomplex are groundless. Clearly,
: >technical excellence has little to do with good sales in this industry,
: >and good sales do not indicate technical excellence.

: If the language were so complex that nobody could understand or use
: it, it would not sell.  It would never have gotten started.  The fact
: is, people can and do use it productively.

Perhaps, but software reliability seems to be going down and bizarre
interactions caused by the over-eagerness of the C++ compiler to convert
types, construct temporaries, write functions and all of the rest of it.
Any apparent speed in implementation is nearly always more than sucked
up by tracking down these unexpected interactions.  

: >...the case against C++ is legitimate. 

: Yes, it is.  So is the case *for* C++.  And the Jury will decide with
: their dollars.  And that decision is not final, it will be made every
: day, and will change as time goes on.

Yes, but the literature is claiming false benefits.  Clients are
beginning to turn on the C++ fraud (as they perceive the language).
Many of them enjoyed better records using C.

: A POLL:  Do any of you out there who are currently using C++ think
: that C++ is the "be all and end all" language?  Do you think that it
: is a good thing that others, (like Dr. Joyner) are working on
: improving the technology?  Do you want to see new langauges invented
: and tried?  Are you interested in trying some yourself?

No, *which* technology - OO or C++, yes - eagerly awaiting Dylan, yes.

Todd Blanchard
