The Static Page

Why don't my programming quirks match the language I'm using?

I'm in the middle of grappling with the version of Visual BASIC that comes with Access 97. It's not a whole lot of fun. It's a bit like pushing a funny shaped object through a small hole. Unless you twist it just right, it just doesn't work. For instance, controls on forms in Access are required to have the focus to read their current value. (Does anyone know why? Or is it just another mysterious MS design decision?) Actually, it reminds me a little of something that C. S. Lewis once wrote. He said that writing "The Screwtape Letters" required a certain twisted mindset, a warped way of looking at the situation. It was like writing through grit and grime. He also didn't care to go through it a second time. :-)

I used to like BASIC. It was the first programming language I learned, after all, thanks to the Home Computer War of the '80s. This was, of course, before the Microsoft Mangling of it got somewhat out of hand. Since then, I have discovered C, SNOBOL and Icon. So BASIC ain't so attractive anymore and I resent Bill Gates still trying to force it on the world.

Of course, that's not to say there is nothing I hate about those languages. On the contrary. I have a SNOBOL4 algorithms book which makes the telling point in it's introduction that it's not a good language from ignoring it's faults, but because of all the good things it does have!

So what hated horrors must you endure in the languages you have to use? Or if you like what you program in, perhaps you could share the fun foibles that is merely your favourite language being individual?

Wade Bowmer, aka Static.

Comments? Email me at static dash page at yceran dot org.