I may be misunderstanding something, but isn't the main problem that there
is no way to force encapsulation in Mumps. Even if developers create well
designed public entry points/API's for a package, it is always possible for
a Mumps programmer to bypass the official method for using the entry points
for a package. It seems the problem is inherent to Mumps, not VistA.
Jim Gray
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory Woodhouse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 9:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Hardhats-members] Question on updating the database
You're absolutely right. There are many serious problems with VistA as it
exists today, of which this is but one. What I find incredibly
frustrating (not to mention foolish) is that in the name of advancing
VistA we so often turn a blind eye to these types of issues, or even deny
that they are real problems. I can understand not wanting to see it
abandoned, but ignoring issues such as this is not the right way to
advance the technology. I believe we would be much better off developing
new modules that build on what we've learned from VistA (and that's a
LOT) and which interoperate with the existing product to the extent that
is possible. Unfortunately, this is an approach that tends to be
dismissed out of hand as being nothing more than a euphemistic way of
speaking of wholesale abandonment of the technology.
===
Gregory Woodhouse
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Before one gets the right answer, one must ask the right question." --
S. Barry Cooper
On May 24, 2005, at 6:28 PM, Kevin Toppenberg wrote:
I hear you. My point, though, is not that tedious
work is necessary. But rather that one has a fragile
system indeed if one rouge programmer can cause havok.
When I work with the Microsoft Word OLE/COM object,
there is NOTHING that I can do to that code that will
harm that code. *IT* controls what happens within its
boundries/domain/module.
VistA/M seems to have essentially two levels of
security. Programmer level, and then user level.
Once someone has programmer access, they can do
ANYTHING. This can be good and bad.
I just had a flashback to Marty quoting that
programming with other structured languages was like
holding hands with your girlfriend at the Sunday
social. While M was like having sex with your best
friend's girlfirend on the back of a motorcycle. i.e.
wild, dangerous, and perhaps a lot of fun.
LOL!
Kevin
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