I recall that VMS had asynchronous traps (ASTs) that would unwind the stack until caught and were usable from higher level code for catching exceptions (not called that then). Not being an internals guru, would someone knowledgeable be willing to explain how this differs (if it does) from the Borland patent?
In addition to the technical details about aliasing and the like (covered in the other responses) is that Fortran is fairly straightforward to learn and use by scientists and engineers (viz. non computer geeks). That is, e.g., a biologist, who is actually interested in his field of study rather than in computers or software, can in short order write a fast programme in Fortran that analyses his data or simulates his problem.
So, he can get 90% to 110% of the same performance that a team of C gurus would get using twice the time to code (in C).
(As a long term, reusable library, investing the time in C may make sense.) (Also, there were several number crunching packages based on Pascal. The symbolic maths package Maple V has a Pascal like extension language.)
'Would we rather not push Eclipse as a GUI and... And, Eclipse is ALREADY open source.'
Maybe, but Eclipse is one of the most horrible environments in which I have ever worked; I do so only because I am paid to. Having to guess which set of windows you need before getting "rewarded" with the menu entry to do what you want is braindead. Even worse is MDI. [/opinion]
'You know people always say we should worry about the big picture and forget the little things , but its the little things which make life and if we forget about them they build up.'
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. Sand wagon
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. This time the students were sure and they responded with a unanimous "YES!" Beer Can
The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour their entire contents into the jar -- effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children?things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Sand
"Take care of the rocks first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."
Given century old eggs and that the species has one generation a year, this is roughly equivalent to "hatching" 2000 to 4000 year old human babies (assuming 40 - 20 years for a generation).
It seems to me that the adaptations noted are more within natural individual variation rather than significant evidence of new species bifurcation, unfortunately. (Yes, I do realise that individual variation is the stuff on which natural selection operates.)
" 'to survive'. Finally we come to the heart of the matter...the reason that should have been number one, with the two reasons listed above in support of it. Humankind must colonize space, and do it soon. Between the dwindling rescources available to us while we remain shackled to a gravity well, and the impending mass-extinction events (asteroid, pandemic, super-volcano...take your pick), we are left with very little time in which to secure our species' future. Establishing a viable space-community should be the primary goal of the human race."
Why? What difference does it make (to me or anybody now alive) whether or not the species survives?
'There are dozens of competing companies trying to sell you a widget. Think they're going to try to keep their price low to keep competetive? Ok, now there's only one company who will sell you a widget. How much do you think they're going to charge?'
I agree. I also find it easier to write on paper while I'm speaking on the phone to a prospective employer; the sheet can then be inserted into the appropriate place. It is also convenient for placing interview notes and job description printouts. In all cases, it's more straightforward than retyping everything into a db.
However, I usually keep the actual (tailored) resumes and cover letters on the computer in both text and word processor formats (with floppy backups in the binder).
The binders I keep for future reference if (when) I again go job hunting.
'... briefly mentioned as "software that has no commercial viability"...'
Interesting, because, as I remarked in my opening sentence, this kind of software accounts for the vast majority of software expenditures. Your nation's air traffic control system isn't a COTS shrink-wrapped item;^)
Slashdot Mirror
For slightly more in-depth reviews, see, e.g.:
Comics in Context #66: A Christmas Potpourri (starts about halfway down the page)
Mild Mannered Reviews - Specials
blogcritics
and for a list of additional 'It sucked!'/'I liked it!' comments: Comic Book Resources
I recall that VMS had asynchronous traps (ASTs) that would unwind the stack until caught and were usable from higher level code for catching exceptions (not called that then). Not being an internals guru, would someone knowledgeable be willing to explain how this differs (if it does) from the Borland patent?
So, he can get 90% to 110% of the same performance that a team of C gurus would get using twice the time to code (in C).
(As a long term, reusable library, investing the time in C may make sense.)
(Also, there were several number crunching packages based on Pascal. The symbolic maths package Maple V has a Pascal like extension language.)
Something people use to run their business.'
You misspelt 'ruin'.
(No, I'm not bitter that I didn't get in first with the oxymoron comment.)
Maybe, but Eclipse is one of the most horrible environments in which I have ever worked; I do so only because I am paid to. Having to guess which set of windows you need before getting "rewarded" with the menu entry to do what you want is braindead. Even worse is MDI.
[/opinion]
Just getting the Workplace Shell and the OOUI would be great; I'm sure a lot of the kernel internals would no longer be an advancement!
For another view vis-a-vis big vs. little things (http://www.google.com/search?q=beer+rocks+sand+gl ass+jar):
Maybe Andy was right; Linux probably wouldn't require such a sophisticated, distributed RCS if it were not a monolithic kernel:^)
31,946,300 (as of 2004 07 01 (Stats Canada))
It seems to me that the adaptations noted are more within natural individual variation rather than significant evidence of new species bifurcation, unfortunately.
(Yes, I do realise that individual variation is the stuff on which natural selection operates.)
Why? What difference does it make (to me or anybody now alive) whether or not the species survives?
So 1/3 of users are imbeciles and 1/10 are idiots.
' So you'd rather sit still for a couple of hours when the flight is delayed than surf the web on your phone?'
Well, I read, 'cause aim litrat!
I wish oil worked like this (as in Econ 101)!
this is a kon-tiki!
Ping-pong (or table tennis).
I thought he was a follower of Bob Marley.
And I'll wait for gnuMake - with dozens more options and published under the GFDL!
Yes.
Or, perhaps, we could simulate it with electrons (for the trains), wires (for the tracks), and switches (for the switches)!
That could be really fast.
No, that is called 'begging the question'.
You should have used e-mail! ;^)
However, I usually keep the actual (tailored) resumes and cover letters on the computer in both text and word processor formats (with floppy backups in the binder).
The binders I keep for future reference if (when) I again go job hunting.
IMNSHO, there is no better platform for developing and deploying robust and reliable turnkey or dedicated systems.
Interesting, because, as I remarked in my opening sentence, this kind of software accounts for the vast majority of software expenditures. Your nation's air traffic control system isn't a COTS shrink-wrapped item ;^)