Disallow null references in safe code?

[Timon Gehr]

On 02/02/2014 01:42 PM, Jonathan M Davis wrote:
> On Sunday, February 02, 2014 12:52:44 Timon Gehr wrote:
>> On 02/02/2014 04:39 AM, Jonathan M Davis wrote:
>>> I'm not sure how I feel about that, particularly since I haven't seen such
>>> data myself. My natural reaction when people complain about null pointer
>>> problems is that they're sloppy programmers (which isn't necessarily fair,
>>> but that's my natural reaction).
>>
>> There is no such thing as 'naturality' that is magically able to justify
>> personal attacks in a technical discussion, even if qualified.
>
> Would you prefer that I had said "initial reaction" or "gut reaction?"

That's completely missing the point. "No such thing as".

> I'm just saying that that's how I tend to feel when I see complaints about null
> pointers.

Sure. Assuming a basic amount of honesty, people _always_ post their own 
opinions. To say it as clearly as I can: Please don't feel that way. It 
is completely unjustified.

> I have never accused anyone of anything  or otherwise attacked them
> because they complained about null pointers.

I have wasted some time trying to figure out the basis of this claim.

> That _would_ be rude.
> ...

We agree on this point.