C++er

Non C++-ers have probably noticed the strange-looking WPPoint& return type declaration for all those overloaded operators: / WPPoint& operator++() { ++x; ++y; return *this;} / WPPoint& operator--() { --x; --y; return *this;} / Huh? What’s & doing there?

Smalltalkers will thus gleefully make ad hominum^([sic]) attacks by noting the folly of large C++ projects (“Small is beautiful” is the appropriate rallying cry), but C++ers will often counter by pointing out the lack of disciplined development by some Smalltalkers.

However, for the majority of C++ers, who either didn’t care or were more concerned with building programs than fighting holy wars, MFC hit a chord.

C++ers will have to mentally pronounce interface as “pABC” (some say “pabs”; some say “pea eh bee sea”). […] And that means, given the findings of the last decade or so, that object-oriented C++ers will not usually be interested in private inheritance. […] And C++ers say member function rather than method.

Disagreement between Smalltalkers and C++ers gains added interest from the fact that both claim to be the direct heirs of another, older, language, SIMULA.

This discussion was prompted by an e-mail exchange with Bartosz Milewski, C++er, Seattleite, and chef extraordinaire (I kid you not; Bartosz cooked the best meal I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve been places).