Manifest constants (was const again)

[John Reimer]

Walter Bright wrote:
> John Reimer wrote:
>> Walter Bright wrote:
>>> John Reimer wrote:
>>>> May I ask what Andrei Alexandrescu's opinion is of using 'enum' as 
>>>> manifest const?  Seems to me that this choice wouldn't pass 
>>>> unnoticed by him, and I know he has some small influence on D. :-)
>>>
>>> He immediately liked it. So the condemnation of enum isn't quite as 
>>> universal as one might suspect reading these threads <g>.
>>
>>
>> Yep, that's what I was wondering.  It seemed that there might have 
>> been some support coming elsewhere. :-)
> 
> I didn't mention it before because appeal to authority is a logical 
> fallacy, the idea should succeed or fail on its own merits.


I can appreciate that, Walter: therefore perhaps it was right for you to 
be asked instead of you saying so first.

It's a point of fact that Andrei figures heavily in the design of D; his 
authority in the matter is obvious... fallacy or no fallacy. But you are 
dealing with something much more complex in this group, and something 
that goes beyond formal debate rules.  So make this a claim an appeal to 
honesty for the sake of everyone involved so they don't get too bent out 
of shape. :-)

Some people don't appear to know what they are dealing with when they 
argue with you on the matter, so it's only fair for them to know the 
support you are receiving behind the scenes (which isn't a secret 
anyway), I think, so that they can consider how much sway they have in 
their personal arguments for or against a solution. Otherwise, people 
start getting "miffed" at what appears to stubborness on your part.  I'm 
just hoping to clarify what's going on for your sake and others. It's 
really not nice to see people get upset over the matter.

Andrei's has become a ghost in the background to such an extent that now 
any time something is put forward, it should be assumed that you and he 
have agreed prior to each proposal you make here.  I think that's all 
that I wanted to point out.  I don't mean to discredit or belittle you 
or him.

All the best,

John