python was: transputers again was: The dissolution of Commodore 2912

Yes, and that shows that even in one program (grep) there's the brain damage of two different regexp parsers.

My point is that everyone implements them slightly differently with different bugs and features, so you have to privates around making sure that your expression actually matches what you think it should, in addition to the usual time wasted trying to design the expression. For instance PERL regexps are different from grep, which are different from emacs, which are different from Python. So I just don't hbuttle with it all.

Well, hey, then you work somewhere else.

I do understand security restrictions, and I know how standardization helps things, but when I'm trying to deal with quickly fixing something broken, I'm either going to do what I need to do, or just leave it broken.

I don't care if they don't support it, that's my job and I better be professional enough to know how to use my tool set. However, if they've got their thumb stuck up their butt enough that they have problems with EDITORS, then that's not an environment conducive to getting things accomplished and making money. The crap of "well, you have to fix cars all day, but you're only allowed to use a #12 spanner" is just a waste of my time. We're here to make money, people...

I have no problem with not having emacs or whatever on a particular machine. I still know vi-sed-awk well enough to fumble through whatever needs doing. However MY machine sure as hell better have the software I need.

-gc

-- Like an enthusiastic missionary, Performance Bikes is still on top.