Re: encapsulating directory operations

On Thu, 29 May 2025 13:38:37 +0100, Richard Heathfield wrote:

This really is a very simple point, but perhaps a simple analogy
will help to clarify it. You don't throw out your 3/4" just
because you've bought a 19mm. There is room for both in the
toolbox, and why write 3/4" on your new spanner? It /isn't/ a
3/4" spanner even though it's very like it, so why pretend otherwise?

Let me clarify your analogy with another analogy: a language compiler is
just like a spanner. Anything you can say about one, applies equally to
another. The difference is, old language compilers can get worn, but
spanners stay bright and new forever.

Also, 19mm spanners are upward-compatible with ¾” ones, aren’t they? Any
nuts you can handle with the old one, you can deal with using the new one,
can’t you?

Because argument by analogy works like that.