automatic int to short conversion - the HELL?

[Chris R. Miller]

Tomas Lindquist Olsen wrote:
> Ary Borenszweig wrote:
>> Chris R. Miller wrote:
>>> downs wrote:
>>>> Chris R. Miller wrote:
>>>>> downs wrote:
>>>>>> Jarrett Billingsley wrote:
>>>>>>> On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 10:26 PM, downs <default_357-line at yahoo.de>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>> void main() { int i; short x; x = i; }
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Excuse me, but - how exactly is it that this is in any way, 
>>>>>>>> shape or
>>>>>>>> form valid code?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> How can I trust a language that allows those kind of shenanigans?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> lern2warningsflag.
>>>>>> "Warning. Your code is broken."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I still claim it should actually be an error, although the only
>>>>>> practical and correct solution might be full ranged type support.
>>>>> I don't get it.  Why can that not be simple implicit type casting?
>>>>
>>>> Because short is not a superset of int.
>>>
>>> Well.... then it's just a loss of precision warning like on every 
>>> other language (Java and C++ off the top of my head).
>>>
>>> -w and be on thy way, unless I'm missing something else.
>>
>> No, no. In Java it's an error, an explicit cast is required.
>>
>> http://www.programmersheaven.com/2/FAQ-JAVA-Type-Conversion-Casting
>>
>> Which is perfect. It expresses the intents of the programmer:
>>
>> long x = ...;
>> int y = (int) x; // yes, I know I might loose information, but I'm sure
>>                  // it won't happen
>>
>> However, if you see this code (in D):
>>
>> long x = ...;
>> int y = x;
>>
>> you start wondering whether the original author simply forgot to add 
>> the cast or he knew what he was doing. How can you know?
>>
>> I like the compiler to force you to write an explicit cast. It is 
>> saying: "Hey, please tell me you know what you are doing here... 
>> because maybe you didn't notice you might loose information here".
> 
> Doesn't all this come down to convincing Walter to lose the "must follow 
> C rules" mantra? I doubt that's gonna happen ...

Yeah, when pigs fly, correct?

<looks out window>

Never mind, gotta find a different metaphor.  Stupid viking catapult...  ;-)