I just read a message in comp.lang.c++.moderated (Re: Potential Bug in
VC++ 5.0 and DEC CC: Pointer to member) in which the original poster had
a compile error under Microsoft C++, and had a hard time getting
Microsoft to acknowledge the existence of the bug.  The specific message
that tweaked my thoughts (which will follow, don't worry!) was a
response that suggested that Microsoft was only interested in making sure
that the compiler supported enough language features to make sure MFC
worked properly, and they didn't really care if other features failed.

Now, this got me thinking - will there be a standard test suite which
compiler vendors can run their compiler against, to test compliance with
the new standard?  Perhaps even an ANSI certification that the compiler
meets their standards, that no one can use unless ANSI validates their
compiler?  I could certainly see the use in such a certification - I'd
likely be more willing to buy and use a compiler that carries the
certificate, than one which didn't.

--
Jim Hyslop
Xjim.Xhyslop@leitchX.com
remove all X to email me
Welcome to the world of Windows 95, where you click on "Start" to shut
down.
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In article <MPG.dc821627f772599896c4@news.leitch.com> jimX.hyslopX@leitchX.com (Jim Hyslop) writes:
>will there be a standard test suite which
>compiler vendors can run their compiler against, to test compliance with
>the new standard?  Perhaps even an ANSI certification that the compiler
>meets their standards, that no one can use unless ANSI validates their
>compiler?  I could certainly see the use in such a certification - I'd
>likely be more willing to buy and use a compiler that carries the
>certificate, than one which didn't.

That a given compiler vendor is playing games is always unfortunate.
Anyway, many believe what you say is the way to go, others feel it has
problems of its own.  Anyway, this may be being done in some places
(the UK perhaps as at least maybe one place).  Failing that, there are
commercial test suite.  No, you don't get a certificate, but it's
the next best thing.

- Greg
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