it seemed like a good idea at the time

Thursday, July 11, 2002 by feline | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

in tribute to those ideas that seemed like such a good idea at the time.

here's one for the C programmers.

enum LOCAL_BOOL { TRUE, FALSE, MAYBE };

the names of the guilty parties have been removed to aviod embarisment. this was actually introduced as an "improved" Boolean

so far i have resisted the urge to use this
DavidK
Reply #1 Thursday, July 11, 2002 12:42 PM
This string could vastly improve the new computerized balloting machines...
craeonics
Reply #2 Thursday, July 11, 2002 6:25 PM
And what might a global_bool look like then?
BoXXi
Reply #3 Friday, July 12, 2002 1:33 AM
There's that Boolean word again............
BoXXi runs for cover and thrusts his crucifix at Bryce!!
feline
Reply #4 Friday, July 12, 2002 7:39 AM
interesting question. i suppose a global_bool should be more all-encompasing. how about:

enum LOCAL_BOOL { TRUE, FALSE, MAYBE, SORT_OF, PERHAPS, LOOK_AND_SEE, I_DONT_REMEMBER };

feline
Reply #5 Friday, July 12, 2002 7:42 AM
BoXXi runs for cover and thrusts his crucifix at Bryce!!

feline examines that earily familiar crucifix

why are there lots of little leaping dolphins all over your crucifix?
craeonics
Reply #6 Friday, July 12, 2002 8:49 AM
And an island too?
Jafo
Reply #7 Friday, July 12, 2002 9:03 AM
enum LOCAL_BOOL { TRUE, FALSE, MAYBE, you CAN'T be serious, been nice knowing you }
feline
Reply #8 Friday, July 12, 2002 9:18 AM
jafo, the worst part is the person "responsible" is the head of the programming dept!
Bangkokboy
Reply #9 Friday, July 12, 2002 4:29 PM
My Ada compiler just core dumped and brought down the server at the mere hint of boolean heresies. I would have been quite satisfied with a compilation error message.
feline
Reply #10 Friday, July 12, 2002 5:16 PM
i now pronounce you a Proper Programmer!

you have achieved this by core dumping your compiler. always a deeply satisfying feeling that one minor bug in your program destoyed the compiler. however, did you really have to take down the server at the same time?

what sort of server is it? surely it should be a bit more robust than that?
Bangkokboy
Reply #11 Friday, July 12, 2002 6:39 PM
It's a SPARC running Solaris. The server is normally very robust, but it does seem to need a reboot every 2-3 weeks, and I think it was just waiting in the weeds for a good excuse. I'm certain that the file system realignment they were running at the time (and now have to restart )had nothing to do with it hehe.
feline
Reply #12 Monday, July 15, 2002 12:22 PM
i always used to get a warm feeling of satisfaction when ever i managed to core dump our Zenix C compiler. i never managed to take down the server with it though, probably for the best.

i havent core dumped a compiler in months though

feline is getting withdrawal symptoms
Bangkokboy
Reply #13 Monday, July 15, 2002 6:29 PM
I suspect that core dumping the compiler is as spiritually rewarding as coughing up a furball, but I have not the requisite experience to be sure.

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