Re: Parsing timestamps?

On Tue, 24 Jun 2025 9:30:35 +0000, Hans Bezemer wrote:

'Look, Ma - I've solved Forth's biggest problem.' ;-)

>
No really, I'm not kidding. When done properly Forth actually changes
the way you work. Fundamentally. I explained the sensation at the end of
"Why Choose Forth". I've been able to tackle things I would never have
been to tackle with a C mindset. ( https://youtu.be/MXKZPGzlx14 )
>
Like I always wanted to do a real programming language - no matter how
primitive. Now I've done at least a dozen - and that particular trick
seems to get easier by the day.
>
And IMHO a lot can be traced back to the very simple principles Forth is
based upon - like a stack. Or the triad "Execute-Number-Error". Or the
dictionary. But also the lessons from ThinkForth.
>
You'll also find it in my C work. There are a lot more "small functions"
than in your average C program. It works for me like an "inner API". Not
to mention uBasic/4tH - There are plenty of "one-liners" in my
uBasic/4tH programs.
>
But that train of thought needs to be maintained - and it can only be
maintained by submitting to the very philosophy Forth was built upon. I
feel like if I would give in to locals, I'd be back to being an average
C programmer.
>
I still do C from time to time - but it's not my prime language. For
this reason - and because I'm often just plain faster when using Forth.
It just results in a better program.
>
The only thing I can say is, "it works for me". And when I sometimes
view the works of others - especially when resorting to a C style - I
feel like it could work for you as well.
>
Nine times out of ten one doesn't need the amount of locals which are
applied. One doesn't need a 16 line word - at least not when you
actually want to maintain the darn thing. One could tackle the problem
much more elegant.
>
It's that feeling..

Why make everything so complicated? An electrician's toolbox looks
different from a horse smith's toolbox. You sound like a horse smith
who frowns at the electrician's toolbox and the electrician's
“philosophy”.
But to each his own - make love not war. :o)
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