On Thu, 06 Jul 2006 07:43:41 +0800 Joel de Guzman <joel@boost-consulting.com> wrote:
I'm not making a proposal. I just stated my preference when I said "Me, I prefer the immutable and functional approach". Now, it might be worthwhile to invest some time in defending that. Maybe I would, when time permits, but certainly not to someone who starts going "Blech" the very moment he reads "immutable" or "functional". ;)
Ah... then I misrepresented my position yet again. I was hoping that FC++ would be accepted, and I even tried to get Brian interested in applying here (though we don't do much in the center of his tool interest). I am definitely NOT opposed to either immutable interfaces or functional methodologies on a fundamental basis. I am, however, opposed to the idea of replacing mutable interfaces in C++, which have a long track record of success with immutable ones, with nothing more than something akin to "I like them better." Furthermore, I am opposed to replacing ANY existing good practice with another without good reasoning as to why it is better. That's one reason I like C++ so much. There are lots of areas in which to specialize, but you have a huge solution space in which to work. You are never left with just one way to do things. I was weened on lisp, and moved to smalltalk. I haven't played in that world for more than 15 years now, though. My memory isn't all that great, but at times I wish I could go back to the smalltalk world. I'm sure by now they have addressed the terrible performance (I actually heard that a major electric utility company on the east coast of the U.S has their entire operation written in smalltalk). I'm genuinely interested in your response. I have a great deal of respect for your work and opinion. If you think back a bit, you will remember that I tried to hire you as well, before you joined Boost consulting. Oh well, I guess I've wondered off topic sufficiently to take further stuff to private email (unelss you really do want to share your reasoning for immutable interfaces -- you seem to have several people on this list who share your opinion -- I truly am interested).