[REBOL] Re: On "What is a bug?" [was Re: WYSIWYG programming]
From: jeff:rebol at: 30-Oct-2000 6:21
Howdy, Joel:
> That said, there is certainly an aspect of
> computing/programming R&D that involves trying things that
> haven't been tried before, to see if one can build a better
> mousetrap. IMHO, this kind of "exploratory programming"
> presents an even MORE URGENT need for having clear specs.
1. Specs are good. No need to argue for their utility.
2. REBOL doesn't have a spec to publish, though we've
published a variety of spec like materials for different
portions of REBOL. Also, right now REBOL Tech. doesn't
have the luxury of time and resources to produce a
publishable spec.
3. People often flame us for not publishing a spec.
4. Unfortunately, that's the way it is. Generally, on
tricky definitional problems we defer to Carl, our human
spec.
We try to do our best to identify bug from misunderstanding
and hope no one has hard feelings when it's the latter. The
engineering team is expected to produce an internal spec
before (or while) implementing a feature or substantial
change to REBOL. As mentioned above, we've actually
published a few of these-- the module spec, the serial port
spec, command line interface changes spec.
I know where you're coming from, though, but that's about
all that can be said about that.
Cheeers!
-jeff
