C++, was Re: [plug] [why not staroffice]

[Mike Holland]

On Fri, 6 Oct 2000, Christian wrote:

> Remembering to free memory in C is not that different to remembering to
> free it in C++.

The class mechanism makes it significantly easier IMHO, but
I wont try to beat Christian in a languages argument. I did want Garry
to know that C++ has its supporters.

>  Plus, in C++, you will have hidden from you the actual
> things that the language is doing.

Higher levels of abstraction can be a good thing. And in C++, if you want
to look deeper, its not really hidden.

> I've heard numerous people suggest that C++ is more typesafe than C only
> to have others completely refute it.  In the end I'm inclined to think

Maybe it depends what you mean by safe. C++ provides mechanisms, but
doesnt enforce their use. e.g. people still use #define for constants
that should be enums. In fact the whole cpp is an evil hack, dont you
think?

> that the typesafe nature of C++ is mostly illusory and at least C makes
> you *think* about what you're doing which would seem to be the best way
> to find errors.

But that logic, you might use assembly. Certainly makes you think!
Admittedly, higher levels of abstraction may serve to hide bugs, false
assumptions, etc.
 

-- 
Mike Holland  <mike at golden.wattle.id.au>
                          --==--