Tony Smith wrote:

> C was designed to make compilers easy to write, hence dumb stuff like case
> sensitivity. Fancy Basic getting it right.

C is significantly harder to write a compiler for than many other languages
including all of the Wirth languages and Basic. Case sensitivity is designers
choice and the stuff for endless net threads.

> Not sure if Borland Pascal did.  One thing I liked about Pascal was stating
> a variables min/max range when declared.
>
> Something like  Counter As Int 1..100
>
> The statement Counter = 106 causes an error.  Saves putting asserts all over
> the place.

Pascal's data typing and data checking is a real asset. C99 finally got
part of data types right with size specific declarations essential for portable
embedded systems code. Range and user defined data types are not
available in C and wouldn't detract from code efficiency if they were.

> While we're at it, anyone want defend the break statement used by C in
> switch/case?

I see a gauntlet. A C switch statement is an computed goto similar to other
languages but organized to to allow multiple entry points into straight line
application source code. The break is syntax candy that is a label_less
goto to the end of the switch block from any point within the block. It
makes application control scope management easy in complex control
structures and eliminates the need for developers to add labels to their
code at the end of switch structures. It might be pointed out the developer
is still free to use their own labels and goto's instead of breaks.

w..



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