Hal, just for fun, imagine IBM adding a new access method (XAM) and then burning the 390 OS onto a chip.
If you recall structured programming constructs implemented with macros, you know that the macro assembler could have provided proper building blocks all along, but we didn't see it that way because we were mesmerized by so-called 4GL languages that never really coalesced, which is essentially why we have too many choices today. I started xBase with dBaseIII because it seemed to me that of all the PC languages available at the time, it was head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, surveying what's available today, I *still* think that's the case. I know this isn't going to do any good, but I'll say it anyway: MS be damned for what they didn't do with the best of the 4GL language breed! As to the macro assembler + XAM + 390 in a chip, a part of me says it's too late now to go back and do the whole thing over again, but then the other part says what else are we going to do - throw some more languages at the problem? FWIW, I'm sticking with VFP. I've got a huge investment in the product and think we're not going to have real problems for at least a decade. When the moment of truth does come, we'll have better choices then we do today. IBM, for example, isn't about to let this country lose it's most important advantage in the world economy. Ain't going to happen. Will it mean putting OS390 onto a chip? I think so. Will it mean an XAM access method? I have no idea, and I probably even doubt it, but I do believe it would be a very smart move. Bill > If you are looking for a new "language," first pick a > hardware architecture that will live forever. Then spend an > afternoon learning assembler language (ok maybe two or three > afternoons). That is the "language" that will always be > available for whatever hardware you've chosen. > > Assembler offers almost a complete lack of contrived > constructs, syntax, variable naming conventions, etc., etc. > Since the hardware only works one way at any given instant, > there is no need for all that drivel. Put the bits in the > right order and let 'er rip! > > B+ > HALinNY _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
