Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!DKAUNI2.BITNET!UK4H
From: UK4H@DKAUNI2.BITNET (JAE)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.modula2
Subject: Operator Overloading/ size of compilers
Message-ID: <"89-09-30-16:28:26.15*UK4H"@DKAUNI2.BITNET>
Date: 30 Sep 89 20:56:41 GMT
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Reply-To: Modula2 List 
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X-Unparsable-Date: Sat, 30 Sep 89 16:28:00 LCL

Some thoughts... (have to add my stuff, too)

> I recently suggested operator overloading to Prof. Wirth. His argument is:
> the possibility you gain for coding programs does not justify the added
> complexity to the compiler. This guy is running for 'the smallest compiler
> in the world'-contest. His compilers are *really* small and *fast*.
> The Oberon compiler for the Ceres (NS32000 based) is just 39KB object code!
> It sure would be a nice feature to have, especially when you have object-
> oriented features (like in Object-Oberon). We're thinking about adding that
> to our Object-Oberon compiler...We'll see, just stay tuned.
>
>         Stefan

Well, I don't doubt that Prof. Wirth's compilers are *small* and *fast*.
But Turbo-Pascal isn't that much bigger, and contains a lot more than
ordinary Modula-2 (or Oberon). Just think of the STRING type in Turbo
(I sometimes wish I had that in Modula-2)
I have mixed emotions regarding languages designed by Prof. Wirth.
I once was a total M2 fan, but now, after 2 years experience with it...
well, it can change once mind.
My "Language Of Choice" would be something like a mixture of ADA,
TopSpeed M2 and C++. Why? Well, ask me. (If I get enough requests, and
if I care to find out how to post FILES here, I might do it and post
a file here)

                  Juergen

Add: I'm new on EARN/BITNET/etc. so please don't get upset if I make
some mistakes. Better drop me a note.

Juergen Erhard
E-Mail: uk4h@dkauni2.EARN
Surface mail: forget it, this one's faster.
Phone: 0721/591602  (in Germany)