Re: using octal codes for special characters

[Craig Markwardt <craigmnet(at)astrog.physics.wisc.edu>]

davidf@dfanning.com (David Fanning) writes:
> 
> Craig (Scrooge) Markwardt (craigmnet@astrog.physics.wisc.edu) writes:
> 
> > Soapbox: May I recommend that *nobody* use double-quote octal codes in
> > their new IDL programs.  They are abominable to look at, can be
> > ambiguous, and are confusing.  The fact that the second quote never
> > appears is particularly insidious.
> > 
> > The "single-quote" form is not much better, but at least it is
> > consistent in the sense that there are two matching quote characters.
> > 
> > These two expressions perform the same operation:
> > 
> >   a = '355'OB    ; SINGLE QUOTE FORM
> >   a = "355b      ; DOUBLE QUOTE FORM
> > 
> > I believe the first form should always be preferred.
> 
> This takes *all* the fun out of adding octal codes to
> your programs. I'm *completely* against it. :^)
> 
> And a Merry Christmas to you, Sir!

Bah! Humbug!

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Craig "S" Markwardt, Ph.D.        EMAIL: craigmnet@astrog.physics.wisc.edu
Astrophysics, IDL, Finance, Derivatives | Remove "net" for better response
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