On Sun, 29 Apr 2018 14:50:08 +0100, Gareth's Downstairs Computer wrote:

> On 29/04/2018 13:43, Ahem A Rivet's Shot wrote:
>>  One way to create subtle and nasty bugs is to write code that
>> depends on the implementation rather than the spec.
>
> All code depends upon the implementation.
>
> For example, string handling in C is not part of the language spec.

However, string handling in C is, and always has been, part of the
standard library. There is a specification (manpage) for every string
handling function and there is (or should be) a set of tests that confirm
that the code meets the specification. Hence you should write code that
uses conformant calls to these functions.

The same applies for every function in the Standard Library just as it
does for 'bigger' languages than C and their support libraries. If you
write a conformant call that doesn't work as advertised then you've found
a bug and should report it.


--
Martin    | martin at
Gregorie  | gregorie dot org

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05