Re: Unwanted hook names (was Re: interface reductions)

[Dirk Herrmann <dirk at ida dot ing dot tu-bs dot de>]

On 27 May 2000, Mikael Djurfeldt wrote:

> [Just a side note: It's easy for us to criticize old Guile code.  But
> we should note that although much ugly things were included in Guile
> early on, quite a lot of *useful* code grew at a faster rate then than
> now.  If you have a limited amount of energy, it's not an easy
> question how to balance between the striving towards perfection and
> "real action".  Also, we have to keep in mind that we now have set up
> new standards for the code, and can't blame old code for not adhering
> to it...]

True, and I think that most, if not all, people on this list see it this
way.  However, criticizing code does not mean criticizing the people who
wrote the code, although being someone who's code or ideas are criticized
can cause temporary discomfort, as we probably all know :-)

We keep on using and improving guile and this requires us to search for
things that have to be improved.  That's what free software is for.

However, I take your note as a reason to state that I have deep respect to
the developers of guile so far.  It is very courageous to release one's
own code to the public.  It is very generous to provide code to the free
software community.  And especially guile is a well working, well thought
out system.  After all, that's one of the reasons I like working with it
and on it so much.  (Another reason is the friendly atmosphere on the
mailing list.)  Thus, I hope that my style of discussion does not lead to
a different assumption about my attitude towards guile's developers either
of today of former times.

Friendly regards
Dirk