Compiler: Size of generated executable file

[Walter Bright]

Justin Johansson wrote:
> Generally speaking on the substance of the remarks on this thread (as 
> below; retard et. al) ...
> 
> especially ...
>  > Unfortunately computer programs seem to inflate over time. A typical
>  > program doubles its size in 2-3 years. I would understand this if a
>  > tradeoff was made between size and performance but unfortunately many
>  > programs also perform worse than before.
> 
> 
> The blot is called marketing and is the hallmark of a capitalistic, 
> consumerist, non-green and resource-unsustainable society.


It's generally a problem with the difference between what people say 
they want and what they'll spend money on. They say they want a stripper 
but over and over they buy the fully optioned version.

I few years ago, I was looking to buy a pickup truck but instead got a 
used commercial van. It's very interesting how different it is from a 
consumer van. The commercial one is a "stripper" - nothing but what it 
needs to get the job done. No radio, no stereo, no cupholder, no 
electric windows, no A/C, no heated seats, no glove box, no courtesy 
lights, no cruise control, no chrome, no badges, no trim, no nothing but 
what is needed to do its job. It's actually kind of neat-o. You can't 
buy anything like that in the consumer catalog.

(Back in the 80's, the Japanese car companies discovered that sales 
increased if all the "options" were rolled into the base configuration.)

The same goes for most consumer items. When was the last time you didn't 
prefer buying a phone with the longest feature list?