Path: ...!weretis.net!feeder8.news.weretis.net!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Simon Clubley Newsgroups: comp.os.vms Subject: Re: New VSI post on Youtube Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:39:32 -0000 (UTC) Organization: A noiseless patient Spider Lines: 38 Message-ID: References: <66bcf876$0$717$14726298@news.sunsite.dk> <66bcfbe3$0$717$14726298@news.sunsite.dk> <66c397f6$0$716$14726298@news.sunsite.dk> Injection-Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2024 19:39:32 +0200 (CEST) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="383d8ff3782ffd7f7362ca441e25297e"; logging-data="557975"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1/+x7T5hdtpppwhAhEBE3sw5IvyhzmQJ0E=" User-Agent: slrn/0.9.8.1 (VMS/Multinet) Cancel-Lock: sha1:b7zVM7x2a0D1sa3P6wZDm8EkIkg= Bytes: 2846 On 2024-08-21, Dave Froble wrote: > On 8/20/2024 1:34 PM, bill wrote: >> On 8/20/2024 8:36 AM, Simon Clubley wrote: >>> On 2024-08-20, chrisq wrote: >>>> >>>> I guess another complication is that some functions return >>>> -1, which implies a signed variable. To fix all that would require a >>>> complete rewrite of the library and probably most of the os and >>>> applications as well, so it will never happen. Just have to write >>>> unsigned equivalents, or slip functions with casts, but it's a lot >>>> of additional work. >>>> >>> >>> One thing I wish was available in all languages is the ability to return >>> multiple values from a function call so you can return both a status and >>> the value(s) in one assignment. Ie: "a, b, c = demo_function(param1, param2);". >>> >>> In languages with dynamic associative arrays (such as PHP), I simulate >>> this by returning an associative array from a function call with both >>> status and value fields. Makes coding _so_ much cleaner and robust. >>> >> >> And probably much harder to understand in anything but the most >> trivial usage. >> > > Would that not be rather clear with adequate comments about what is being done? > Look at the example Arne posted. Very clean and very easy to understand without having to use comments (and I am actually a fan of the liberal use of comments. :-) ). Simon. -- Simon Clubley, clubley@remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP Walking destinations on a map are further away than they appear.