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Re: JLS 3/e -- Lots Of Errors

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In message <I8idncO4-e3h2tLQnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@earthlink.com>, Patricia 
Shanahan wrote:

> This raises an interesting issue. If one assumes sequential reading,
> each term absolutely must be defined no later than its first use,
> because it will not be possible to jump to a later definition.

You don’t have to assume sequential reading. It’s usual in language specs to 
provide a reference for terms like that everywhere they occur outside their 
defining section, whether before or after.

> In practice, I don't think I have ever read a language specification the
> way one reads a novel, beginning at the first page and continuing
> sequentially to the end.

It’s how I do it the first time. Then later I come back to refer to things 
as I need them.

(Though I have to admit the Annotated Ada Reference Manual left me feeling 
like my brain had turned to mush. Maybe I’ll try the un-annotated version 
next time...)

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Re: JLS 3/e -- Lots Of Errors Patricia Shanahan <pats@acm.org> - 2011-02-06 17:14 -0800
  Re: JLS 3/e -- Lots Of Errors Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@geek-central.gen.new_zealand> - 2011-02-07 14:17 +1300
    Re: JLS 3/e -- Lots Of Errors Arne Vajhøj <arne@vajhoej.dk> - 2011-02-06 20:56 -0500

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