[boost] Re: Re: FC++ -- Formal Review Result

From: Andy Little (andy_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-04-05 21:15:43

"Mat Marcus" <mat-boost_at_[hidden]> wrote in message
news:603536759.1081186934@[10.51.241.93]...
>
>
> --On Monday, April 05, 2004 11:54 PM +0100 Andy Little
> <andy_at_[hidden]> wrote:
>
> >
> > "Brian McNamara" <lorgon_at_[hidden]> wrote in message
> > news:20040405222144.GA13969_at_lennon.cc.gatech.edu...
> >> I will be busy trying to finish my PhD and find a job in the next
> >> couple months, so it will be a while before I can work on FC++ again
> >> with any substantial effort.
> >
> > Hi Brian,
> > I think I may be one of those mentioned in the review critique as
> > having required a full breakdown of FP.
> > I would suggest that C++ is not the solution for you, but OTOH
> > neither is the dogma of FP. Whether anyone has the guts to employ
> > you I have no idea, but I wish you all the best for the future.
> >
> > regards
> > Andy Little
> >
>
> Hi Andy,
>

My views are my own and in no way reflect the opinions of the boost
community at large.

> I don't really like the way that came out. I believe that quotes like
> "C++ is not the solution for you" or "Whether anyone has the guts to
> employ you" don't belong on this list.

C++ is a great language. Functional programming is a great idea.  Brian
MacNamara IMHO is one of the view people that may see something beyond
either.
I would say that is something akin to a holy grail on boost.

Some employers do have 'guts'.  If you dont like the visceral term, replace
it by  faith, courage, vision, and belief.

>For what it's worth let me
> state here that these comments in no way reflect the opinions of the
> reviewer, nor in my opinion do they reflect the views of the rest of
> the community.

The general response of the ' boost community', which purports to embrace FP
was frankly pathetic throughout the FC++ review. I felt this during the
review, which is why I stepped in with my comments. I'm not an FP fan but I
am interested and I would have preferred to have sat back and enjoyed the
discussion. This did finally start to happen.

 I have found Brian's work to be very inspirational, if > not yet ready for
boost acceptance on the first try, and his posts
> here are highly professional, patient (in light of those who would
> have him justify FP) and educational.

Brian took a lot of time out with me during the FC++ review. My previous
post was to say thanks, I have learnt something, and I appreciate that, and
despite my  non-boost community attitude, which is increasing exponentially,
I did gain a lot from it. However I get the impression, which I stated in
the review that  C++'s place is as an Assembly language for FP. To (try to)
use FP in C++ expressions is not very productive.... sorry lambda.

 I respectfully ask you to
> refrain from posts of this nature in the future as others on this list
> may also feel that they are rather offensive.

I think I would be happy at the moment,especially if this is the general
view, to be officially notified, which I hope will happen in due course.
If that is the case I am sure that this reflects badly on me rather than Mr
MacNamara.

regards
Andy Little