Aren't most un*x files (if that is the proper word) streams, where there is no length?
I would assume that C++ could have a varchar type where operators would be defined to properly use these strings.From my recollection that isn't possible in standard C. On Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:01:24 +1100 Clement Clarke <ad...@oscar-jol.com> wrote: :>Over many years, I have brought up the C string problem. Both it's speed :>and safety. I developed some C macros which improve the situation, however :>I think that by simply introducing a new file type, say .VB like .EXE, many :>speed and safety issues can be corrected relatively simply, as well :>as reducing the electricity and cooling water needed to shunt 5 billion :>emails around the world each day. :> :>The VB format would follow IBM's VB format. Thus the length of the record :>would precede the data, and allow records to be moved and copied without :>constantly searching for binary zeros, or carriage returns and line feeds. :> :>My tests have consistently shown that copying strings with C takes a :>minimum of about 2.5 times longer to copy C terminated strings. Often, the :>time is greater depending on the compiler and associated routines. :> :>I believe implementing such code would be relatively trivial. And I :>would also suggest the record length and blocksize be 4 bytes rather than 2 :>bytes. :> :>The open routines could look to see if the file or data set is .VB, and if :>so set a flag. When a GET or equivalent is issued, then it is a simple :>matter to read the block if necessary, and load the length of the record :>and issue an MVCL or equivalent on other machines. :> :>Gradually, C and C++ could be changed internally to follow the excellent :>PL/I practice of having the length of variable length strings at the front :>of the strings which means searching for string terminators is not :>necessary. :> :>Kind regards, and a Happy New Year to all, :> :>Clem Clarke :>PS: Some further information is at :>https://start.oscar-jol.com/fast-safe-c-strings :> :> :> :> :> :>Charles Mills kindly suggested that C++ was the answer. However, I think :> :>---------------------------------------------------------------------- :>For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, :>send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN -- Binyamin Dissen <bdis...@dissensoftware.com> http://www.dissensoftware.com Director, Dissen Software, Bar & Grill - Israel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
