On reflection I think this function, if provided at all, should be provided in a different foreign.
I timestamp a lot of things in my big app, but I don't think I could use the proposed extension for any of them, because most of the time I timestamp I also need the time as a number, so I can test for differences in time, or sort times into order, etc. Since time is continually changing, I won't make two calls to 6!:0, one to get numeric time and one to get string time, since then the time in my logs might differ in the seconds from the internal time and that's just not worth the hassle of deciding whether I can live with it. The one time I know I could use the idea is for formatting the time in mail headers, but there the time is UT and I get the time by a system call, not 6!:0, so the modified 6!:0 wouldn't help me there either. I think the argument that a 6-element timestamp is too unusual to be encountered away from 6!:0 is bogus: if I am going to put the time into display form, I am going to produce a 6-item list, no matter where the time comes from originally. And: for sure, I want all my time-display functions to go through the same verb, so I can guarantee a consistent format in all my time displays. But some of the times I need displayed are internally calculated (like: 'The next processing tick will be at HH:MM:SS') so I am just creating a maintenance problem if I have a time formatter that cannot be applied to anything but the current time. If there were another foreign, say 6!:10, that converted numeric time to display, I could use it. However, I think the spec for that verb should be considered more deeply. 12-hour time with AM/PM comes to mind, and Bill & others might be able to advance other requirements. Henry Rich > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Roger Hui > Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:13 PM > To: Programming forum > Subject: Re: [Jprogramming] Current time: behaviour > > I am listening. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Mike Powell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 18:00 > Subject: Re: [Jprogramming] Current time: behaviour > To: Programming forum <[email protected]> > > > So, even if I have a stunningly good, widely appreciated, largely > > supported, reason why you should not implement this, which I add > > to the Wiki, you will still proceed? > > > > In the best development spirit, > > Mike Powell > > > > On 30-Oct-07, at 2:47 PM, Roger Hui wrote: > > > > > It will make it into the language whether or not you fill in the > > > model. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For information about J forums see > http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
