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Re: What is C?

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From Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org>
Newsgroups comp.lang.c
Subject Re: What is C?
Date Sat, 29 Apr 2017 22:54:48 -0700
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David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> writes:
> I have taken a position as to what "C" means that is not
> looked on favorably by several regulars on comp.lang.c.
> But I think I have never been clear exactly what I meant
> (I was probably unclear myself). I think now that I can
> say exactly what I think.
>
> I would say that the C language is the language defined by
> the phrase structure grammar. I usually use the grammar
> from C89 but the later standards, so far a I know, haven't
> changed it much. The grammar in K&R 78 is too incomplete
> to use.
>
> The C so defined is incomplete as a programming tool. These
> days there is both pre and post processing. But - as I see
> the situation - neither are intrinsic parts of C. 

I'd say that the syntax is just one part of the language, and not the
the most important part.  In a sense it distinguishes between what is
and is not a C program, but it says nothing about what any C code
*means*.

[...]

-- 
Keith Thompson (The_Other_Keith) kst-u@mib.org  <http://www.ghoti.net/~kst>
Working, but not speaking, for JetHead Development, Inc.
"We must do something.  This is something.  Therefore, we must do this."
    -- Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, "Yes Minister"

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Thread

What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 09:10 -0700
  Re: What is C? GOTHIER Nathan <nathan.gothier@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 18:26 +0200
    Re: What is C? Thiago Adams <thiago.adams@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 12:31 -0700
      Re: What is C? GOTHIER Nathan <nathan.gothier@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 23:02 +0200
  Re: What is C? Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2017-04-29 18:07 +0100
    Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 10:44 -0700
      Re: What is C? Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2017-04-29 21:00 +0100
  Re: What is C? "Rick C. Hodgin" <rick.c.hodgin@gmail.com> - 2017-04-29 16:45 -0700
  Re: What is C? Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2017-04-29 22:54 -0700
    Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-04-30 11:48 -0700
      Re: What is C? Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2017-04-30 12:02 -0700
        Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-04-30 15:24 -0700
          Re: What is C? Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2017-04-30 17:00 -0700
            Re: What is C? supercat@casperkitty.com - 2017-04-30 18:00 -0700
            Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-05-01 09:41 -0700
              Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-01 12:25 -0500
                Re: What is C? supercat@casperkitty.com - 2017-05-01 10:46 -0700
                Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-01 13:04 -0500
                Re: What is C? Tim Rentsch <txr@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2017-05-02 04:11 -0700
                Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-03 00:48 -0500
                Re: What is C? supercat@casperkitty.com - 2017-05-03 09:37 -0700
                Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-05 00:45 -0500
                Re: What is C? supercat@casperkitty.com - 2017-05-05 10:51 -0700
                Re: What is C? Tim Rentsch <txr@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2017-05-05 01:32 -0700
                Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-07 23:07 -0500
      Re: What is C? Malcolm McLean <malcolm.arthur.mclean@gmail.com> - 2017-04-30 12:03 -0700
        Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-04-30 15:27 -0700
          Re: What is C? Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2017-04-30 16:57 -0700
  Re: What is C? John Bode <jfbode1029@gmail.com> - 2017-05-01 10:13 -0700
    Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-05-01 10:26 -0700
      Re: What is C? Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-01 12:50 -0500
      Re: What is C? John Bode <jfbode1029@gmail.com> - 2017-05-01 12:34 -0700
  Re: What is C? Tim Rentsch <txr@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2017-05-02 03:39 -0700
    Re: What is C? David Kleinecke <dkleinecke@gmail.com> - 2017-05-03 12:05 -0700

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