Up on the high horse.
Wclodius wrote:
>
> ... Given how far along F2000 is the ideas being discussed
> are unlikely to be accepted in the next revision,
> but I do think it is usefull to keep them in mind.
> ...
WIth respect. Deja vu!
Back a couple of years similar words were said about F95, and before
that about F90.
The argument that any interested party wanting to express opinions and
have them
seriously debated must do so by following the committees agenda and make
sure the
deadlines have not lapsed, etc., does not an argument make IMHO. The
committee should,
again IMHO, make concerted efforts to bring the proposals to the users,
in a timely
fashion, and any and all received comments to be debated. Not serious
comments would be
debated for 15 seconds, proper ones need to be debated seriously.
The thinking of the committee and its proposals need to be widely
distributed
and timely to the Fortran and other language user forums to elicit
comments and
suggestions. Note the "and other language user forums", I believe it is
important
to contact them as it is to contact Fortran's. We don't live on an
island.
It is the union (mathematical sense) of the disparate minds that would
result in
an update that serves the users, and thus assures the longevity of the
language.
To expect the user to follow the committee's proceedings is akin to ask
a voter
to sit in the visitor's gallery of Congress to have his opinions heard.
The on-going discussion thread is an example of the process that
enriches the
language, if so allowed.
Down from the high horse. Thanks for allowing me to express the above.
Fred Marton
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|