harmful null dereference straight in dmd

[Andrei Alexandrescu]

In what could be a supremely ironic turn, dmd has a null dereference 
error that leaves me in the dust. I have to compile a largish D2 app 
that last compiled in 2007. I was thinking all I have to do is fix the 
language and compiler changes, which is what I was doing, until a point 
where dmd unceremoniously aborts compilation with:

Segmentation fault

This looks like a null dereference, and is the fourth time I am seeing 
compilers errors that don't mention file and line. Rule #1 of compiler 
writing should be, whenever you fail for whatever reason, inform the 
user about where you were. Trying to do forensics without such vital 
information wastes hours like minutes.

If there was a need to convince me that null dereference can be harmful, 
this situation drove the point home in a rather painful way.


Andrei