-Caveat Lector- > > Let's talk about maximizing "portability". The concept itself could apply > to portability across computer languages. Thus the Standard could be > Standard English. The Rationale would be to create a set of menus and > prompts written in Standard English which would do all of the things done > by the complete spectrum of computer languages. > > Let's ask Francis Glassborow who wrote the Introduction to the C Standard > book I have here.
The problem with using "Standard English" to program computers is that my Standard English isn't the same as your Standard English, or the same as the Standard English of an ESL student, or the same as the Standard English of a Japaneese programmer. If you want to constrain english so that it has to be properly formatted for the computer to use, then you end up rewinding back to the DOS days "Copy all files from this directory to the sub folder named assignments of the folder named school" works, but it takes a lot longer to type or say than "copy *.* C:\School\Work" or even selecting all of the files and dragging them into the other folder. Additionally, speaking to your computer may sound like a good idea on the surface, but have you ever worked in a cubicle farm? I have trouble carrying on a phone conversation when two people are talking to eachother in the background... Can you imagine the distraction with all of your cube neighbors talking to their computer? English is not capable of expressing all of the things expressed by even the most high level computer languages. Try translating even the most primitive examples out of your "Introduction to the C Standard" into english, and watch 5 lines of computer code baloon into 5 paragraphs of english sentences, and you'll see what I mean. ===== -- "If you don't have some vaguely Celtic-sounding name going on, what is the point. I ask you. Next time you create a character, ask yourself: have I used enough Y's?" - Tycho, from Penny-Arcade Adam Ness Cam Drone #2002021697 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time. http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
