NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/comp/os/vms/19777

Internet Message Format | 1992-12-23 | 2.9 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!news.claremont.edu!nntp-server.caltech.edu!SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU!CARL
From: [e-mail] (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Subject: Re: C pointer question
Date: 23 Dec 1992 13:01:06 GMT
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Lines: 53
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol1.gps.caltech.edu

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Scott Hanson) writes:
=I am porting some C code to the VAX, and am having many problems.  One
=of them was fixed by DEC Support (after a lot of feeling around) by changing
=this:
=void foo(char a[])
={
=bar(a);
=}
=
=to this:
=void foo(char a[])
={
=bar(&a);
=}
=
=bar wants a char *, foo is passed a char *.  What am I doing wrong?
=What is VMS C doing to my previously working code?  Any suggestions?

If what you say is true (hey, I belive you THINK it's true, but you've removed
most of the code that tells us what's going on), it looks like you've found a C
bug.

But we'll never know unless you send us some code that demonstrates the problem
(yes, I'm working on a second version of my "How to ask questions in INFO-VAX"
monthly posting).

Let me be a little more specific about what I was saying.  You've run across a
problem.  You don't know what exactly caused the problem (otherwise did you
call CSC and/or post to this newsgroup?)  Rather than posting the problem in
its entirety (i.e., a program that demonstrates the problem) you posted a
description of what you THINK the problem is.  Well, since you don't (by
definition) know what the REAL problem is, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT YOUR
SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM REALLY TELLS US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS?

Please:  Post the simplest example you can come up with that demonstrates the
"problem."  Then you'll have everyone who reads this group and is interested in
the problem working on it (and I can pretty much guarantee that those working
on the problem will include myself, Jerry Leichter, Jamie Hanrahan, and Ehud
Gavron [yes, three of of HAVE been known to flame;  but we are also known for
spending LOTS of time trying to pin down this sort of problem]).

As it is, you've been so goddamned vague, nobody's likely to be able to help
you.

So, please:  Send us a program that demonstrates the alleged problem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: [e-mail] | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.