Third public review of X3J11 C (a scientist speaks up)

[Paul R. Haas]

Given:
1. ANSI C (as proposed) does not support numerical computing adequately.
2. There is not enough time to fix it for the current standard.

There are several ways of coping:
1. Use Fortran.
2. Hope your compiler vendor comes up with reasonable extensions.
3. Do something to encourage your compiler vendor to come up with
   something reasonable.

I would favor writing a standard for "correct" math extensions to the C
language.  If the standard is adopted by at least one compiler vendor
(or producer so as to include the FSF) then you can show prior art for
the next round of X3J11.  If the "correct" math extensions are simple
enough to implement then many manufacturers will put it into their
compilers.

A proposal for a standard to be produced by an individual, an
independent committee or a committee from one of the user groups (ACM,
IEEE, /usr/group, Usenix, etc...).  A committee could meet in person
or electronically, etc...

Unfortunately, I lack the skills to produce such a document.
----
Paul Haas,  uunet!actnyc!prh (if that doesn't work: haas at msudoc.egr.msu.edu)