Streaming transport interfaces: input

[anon]

Andrei Alexandrescu Wrote:

> On 10/14/2010 12:15 PM, anon wrote:
> > I can't understand why we need binary vs. text modes. Seems to me a
> > silly design decision from the old days when we used 7-bit terminals
> > or something. This always complicates the APIs for no reason.
> 
> A variety of Internet protocols are text-based. Also, for example I use 
> a text console everyday.
> 
> > I'd like to see a two layer design: - lower UNTYPED layer that deals
> > with transporting bits and bytes and deals with lower level concerns
> > like byte order. - higher level extend-able TYPED layer with
> > formatters/encoders.
> 
> This would be the untyped lower level layer.
> 
> Andrei

All I'm saying is that instead of treating text-based protocols specially at the lower level, they should be on the higher level typed as UTF-8 or whatever. They should be treated like any other protocol. 
E.g. I see no difference between a text file encoded in UTF8 and an image file encoded via jpeg.