On Mon, Jul 09, 2001 at 09:44:57AM -0700, dave hoover wrote:
> I think it's a matter of style, but also one should
> consider who will be maintaining this code in the
> future and whether they will be familiar with Perl or
> if they will have a more general CS background.
You know, I've never liked this argument. Why should I assume that
someone who will be maintaining my code is less than competent to do the
job? Why should some parts of the language be off limits because they
are deemed "too difficult" for someone who doesn't know the language.
Maybe by using the language well I can help this maintenance programmer
to master it.
I've never heard this argument used with C for example. "Please don't
use pointers because a VB programmer won't understand them." (Actually,
I have no idea whether VB has pointers, but basic BASIC didn't.) Maybe
it's because Perl is "just a scripting language".
Of course, I'm not saying that programs shouldn't be well written and
documented, just that I don't believe in crippling the language. Most
language features, appropriately used, will enhance maintainability.
[ Sorry about that. I don't know what came over me :-) ]
Not trying to pick on you Dave, I agree with the rest of your post.
--
Paul Johnson - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.pjcj.net
