Posted by Colin Fine on 12/31/05 21:00

Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Tony Marston wrote:
>
>>> Because it's better, IMHO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Exactly why is case-sensitivity better? No human language allows a
>> word to have a different meaning just by canging its case, so why
>> should a computer language be different, espeically when that
>> difference allows for unmaintainable code?
>>
>
> I'm not going to bite on that one any more. Several people have tried
> to tell you. Go back through this thread. I'm not going to repeat
> their arguments.
>
> The one exception I will make - when computers can understand verbal
> instructions (or even written instructions) like people do, then you can
> compare computer and human languages. Until then, you are talking
> apples and oranges.
>
No. Because it's apparently escaped your notice that most programs are
written by people.

>>
>>> And if the majority of programmers didn't think it was progress, it
>>> wouldn't have caught on.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mere programmers don't have a choice, it's only the language authors
>> that have a choice. And what was their reason for choosing
>> case-sensitivity when all previous languages, whether human or
>> computer, were entirely and completely case-insensitive? There is no
>> good reason, which leads me to the conclusion that it was a STUPID
>> MISTAKE that you are trying to perpetuate.
>>
>
> Horse Hockey. EVERY programmer has a choice as to which language to use.
>
Yes. But if all the languages they are being offered are case sensitive,
that is what we may call a stacked deck.

> And quite frankly, most programmers I know would put you in the
> "old-timer-has-been-who-refuses-to-change-but-wants-everyone-else-to-change-to-suit-him"
>
> category.
>
I'm sorry? I think you mean the
'old-timer-who-doesnt-see-the-need-to-change-something-that-works' category.

> And quite frankly, I really don't give a damn what you think. So I'm
> not going to waste any more of my time.
>
You didn't have to reply to Tony's critique in the first place. But for
some reason you took it as an attack you had to defend against.

Happy new year

Colin

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