trolfs@vax1.tcd.ie (Thomas Rolfs) (01/12/90)
More and more it seems that Forth programmers are doing their own
thing. Forth has to one of the most antisocial languages around! Why
else are their SO MANY different Forth systems, all doing it their
own way. I don't have a PC (and I never will!), so I'm not going to
be using f83 or F-PC and these are the closest to a common Forth
standard. Why should anyone use Forth or bother with FIG if ever one
is speaking a different language? Maybe if FIG were to support a
standard library extensions to Forth that are machine/system
independent, then maybe they might have something to offer. Cheaper
membership isn't the answer.
"Divide and conquer". Forth is divided. C is very much united. Forth
doesn't stand a chance. FIG even less so. If FIG don't give us
something in common to talk about, who do they think they are going to
attract? Come on FIG! You won't get anywhere by standing still.
As for the purist bullshit, I don't care if Forth wizards roll their
own. Being able to write a editor quicker than it takes to load one in
and only using 5 WORDS in the bargain, doesn't impress me. I would
like to use Forth instead of C when I get a job. I don't want to be a
closet Forther, doing my own thing.
Computers have moved on a lot. Forth hasn't.
--
Thomas Rolfs mail: 33 Beechwood Lawn, Dun Laoghaire, Eire. //
E-mail:TROLFS[Thomas Rolfs On-Line Forth Server - "OLIS"]@vax1.tcd.ie \\//+IV
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"The number of Unix installations has grown to 10, with more expected."
-- The Unix Programmer's Manual, 2nd Edition, June, 1972
--
Thomas Rolfs mail: 33 Beechwood Lawn, Dun Laoghaire, Eire. //
E-mail:TROLFS[Thomas Rolfs On-Line Forth Server - "OLIS"]@vax1.tcd.ie \\//+IV
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"I'm not a god, I was misquoted."
-- Lister, Red Dwarfjax@well.UUCP (Jack J. Woehr) (01/17/90)
trolfs, i dig your frustration. there has been lots of
progress, though, you have to work in Forth for a while to know
where it's all coming from.
a lot of the problems you mention the ANSI X3J14 proceedings
are meant to address. get your proposal forms in early before the
fall rush!
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{} jax@well ." Sysop, Realtime Control and Forth Board" FIG {}
{} jax@chariot ." (303) 278-0364 3/12/2400 8-n-1 24 hrs." Chapter {}
{} JAX on GEnie ." Tell them JAX sent you!" Coordinator {}
{} jax@well.sf.ca.us Now Starting to Attend ANSI X3J14 and going bald {}
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