[ANN] Directory 1.0 released

[Zuurbier, E. - AMSXE]

If it would be possible to associate multiple definition modules with one
implementation module, you could design the following definition modules:
DirectoryMac, DirectoryWin, DirectoryUNIX, DirectoryMacWin,
DirectoryMacUNIX, DirectoryWinUNIX and DirectoryMacWinUNIX. Each would
export only the functions that are common to all the platforms in the
definition module's name.

This solution would have the advantages that platform extensions do not
influence existing applications and as an application writer/controller you
don't have to test or screen an application for unwanted aborts. Instead,
you can rely on the compiler to do that check.

The disadvantage is that the module system has to be changed and for n
platforms you have to write and maintain 2^n - 1 definition modules. That
would call for the possibility to write and use parametrized modules, so
that the following import statement would be possible:

import Directory [Mac,Win]

This would import all functions common to Mac and Win. But I guess the
Nijmegen boys need a stronger case before they turn the module system upside
down like this.

Regards,

Erik Zuurbier, KLM,
co-mail: SPL/XJ-831
phone: +31 20 649 6255
email: erik.zuurbier@klm.nl <mailto:erik.zuurbier@klm.nl>