[comp.std.c] Look for SIGPLAN reference -- alternative prototype syntax

arnold@apollo.HP.COM (Ken Arnold) (04/17/91)

Back in the general vicinity of 1983 (I believe) I read a SIGPLAN
article or letter in which someone proposed a prototype syntax that
used "..." to mean forward reference.  I'm looking for this reference
and my SIGPLAN archives don't go back that far (if my journals went
back that far I'd have to buy a bigger house!).  If anyone out there
knows who proposed the following or can get me closer to a valid
reference, I'd appreciate knowing (via email, of course).

The proposal would have prototypes look like definitions except that
instead of a function body they would have "{ ... }".  For example:

	void
	qsort(base, num_ele, ele_width, compar)
		void	*base,
		size_t	num_ele, ele_width;
		int	(*compar)(void *, void *);
	{ ... }

or getchar() (were it not a macro)

	int
	getchar() { ... }

I don't want to start a discussion about whether you like this proposal
or not -- I'm just trying to find a reference and hope that this
knowledgeable group might be able to help me, since I'm lost.  Thanks
in advance -- we know return you to your regularly scheduled picayune
discussion.

		Ken Arnold