RE: Alias syntax for a module that has a space in its name

[Jim.Hyslop]

Todd Denniston wrote:
> [1] IMNSHO, spaces in file and directory names are one of the 
> many evils in
> computers, remove them when possible and re-educate the 
> creators (as much as
> you are allowed :). 
Well, at the risk of starting up a jihad, I'd disagree with that statement.

Computers are no longer the magical black boxes of the 20th century, where
only the anointed few (i.e. programmers and operators) were allowed into the
inner sanctum to commune directly with the holy machine, and the unwashed
masses could only fill out forms (in exactly the input format the computer
expected) and receive printed statements (formatted the way the computer
dictated).

Computers are now tools for ordinary humans - those without programming
expertise - to use. Computers don't care what the exact file names are, as
long as each file is named uniquely. A file named 'main.c' has no more
significance to a computer than a file named 'as3d23322'. The exact file and
directory names are primarily for human use. Humans are accustomed to using
spaces to separate words. Therefore, software should support spaces in file
and directory names. Yes, this means more work for you and me - but isn't
that why we get paid the big bucks? Or something like that... :-)

Tools should conform to the way people use them. Not the other way around.

-- 
Jim Hyslop
Senior Software Designer
Leitch Technology International Inc. ( http://www.leitch.com )
Columnist, C/C++ Users Journal ( http://www.cuj.com/experts )