Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alan From: alan@allegra.UUCP (Alan S. Driscoll) Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards Subject: Re: Tired of Non-Explanations Message-ID: <2334@allegra.UUCP> Date: Mon, 5-Mar-84 10:38:53 EST Article-I.D.: allegra.2334 Posted: Mon Mar 5 10:38:53 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 6-Mar-84 02:43:04 EST References: <2331@allegra.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill Lines: 20 Q: Program or library routine X has behavior Y. Could someone please explain why this is desirable? A: Program or library routine X is supposed to have behavior Y. [Optional quote from manual.] Don't change it! Doug Gwyn pointed out to me that in most cases, the behavior is appropriate, but it may not be clear how to explain this. Well, my point is that it's worth the effort. "It was intentionally done this way because ..." is much more satisfying than "Just 'cuz," or "The manual says so." Besides, if you have too much trouble explaining some behavior, it may not be as desirable as you thought. :-) -- Alan S. Driscoll AT&T Bell Laboratories