"Rob Stewart" <stewart@sig.com> wrote in message news:200404012013.i31KDOP25003@entwistle.systems.susq.com...
Recent messages in the thread, "Numeric conversions lib comments," involve questions regarding what is a trait and what is a policy.
A trait is a part of the definition of an entity. A policy is applied to an entity to modify a trait or traits of the entity. Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (abbreviated) " Policy 1 A constitution,polity. (Now rare or obsolete) 2. Government, administration; political science. -1796 3. Political sagacity; statecraft ; diplomacy; in bad sense, political cunning.(Late middle english) 4. In reference to conduct or act generally: prudent, expedient , or advantageous course of action; as a quality of the agent: sagacity, shrewdness, artfulness; in bad sense, cunning, craftiness.(Late middle english). A device , expedient contrivance; a crafty device, stratagem, trick -1849. 5. A course of action adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler or statesman, etc; any course of action adopted as advantageous or expedient. (The chief living sense). (Late midle english). Trait 1. Shot of any kind. 2. A stroke made with pen or pencil; a short line; a touch(in a picture) 1589. 3. a line or lineament of the face; a feature 1773. ("Here face is somewhat altered. The traits have become more delicate" Shelley) 4. A distinguishing quality; a characteristic 1752. 4b A 'touch' of some quality (Now rare 1815) 5 A stroke or flash of wit, sarcasm or pleasantry -1859 " regards Andy Little