Many small improvements

This topic is specifically for discussions on the new APL64 Project currently in development. This topic is open for all to browse. However, to post, one must have a registered account on the APLDN forum only available to APL+Win licensee under a current APL+Win Subscription.

Moderators: Tech Support, phpbb_admin

Many small improvements

Postby Ajay Askoolum » October 14th, 2018, 5:14 am

The benefits of many small improvements to the language will far exceed those from a radical re-design, especially when those small improvements align to features in other languages.

Examples abound.

1. Composite string formatting is long overdue; formatting based on []fmt and string concatenation is no longer compatible with rapid application development.
2. String interpolation would also promote the language in the same direction.
3. Built in support for dates--in a way that is compatible with data transfer/acquisition-is long overdue.
4. Integral support for XML, CSV, JSON will promote data/acquisition transfer; so would a standard means of managing relational data. (LINQ for Objects).
5. A report writer that easily writes output will standardize the means of presenting information.

It is a question of priorities; that is by no means straightforward. However, for a language with a shrinking user base, creating appeal for developers in other languages is not an option, it is a critical requirement.

Users have expected functionality improvements in the workspace or interactive sessions. We have moved from 8-bit to 32-bit, welcomed []wi interfacing to COM, []wi interfacing to Windows Forms, []wcall for accessing operating system APIs. []ni, []cse.

Backward compatibility with APL+Win is an issue only if there isn't an automated migration path. Visual APL was probably too radical a leap. Larger workspaces would be a bonus - the real requirement is an APL that is much less workspace bound and documented in such a way that it is more open to new users.
Ajay Askoolum
 
Posts: 884
Joined: February 22nd, 2007, 2:16 am
Location: United Kingdom

Return to APL64 Project

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests