In article <sgsqun$h78$
1...@dont-email.me>,
Robert Prins <
rob...@prino.org> wrote:
...
>We're living in 2021, why write convoluted code when there are much better
>languages to do this? REXX (available for about every OS) can do it in one line,
>and if you only use Windoze, PowerShell would probably do it.
Because those are the rules of this newsgroup. Like several other Usenet
newsgroups, this group is kind of an abstraction. I.e., the issue isn't
solving specific problems by whatever means work - i.e., if it works, it is
good mentality. Rather, it is solving the problem using only a specific
set of tools - sort of like "straight edge and compass" problems in
geometry.
The rules - which, BTW, I didn't make up, and I, of course, have no
authority to enforce, but which I have gleaned from years of observing this
group - is that you can only solve problems using functionality found in
CMD.EXE itself (and
COMMAND.COM before then). You are not allowed to use
any external tools or languages. To do so would be cheating.
Note, BTW, that you are sort of allowed (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) to cheat
semi-legally by using things like WishScript, or JavaScript, or
WhateverScript or PowerShell, because you can sort of make a case that
these things are now builtin on most modern Windows installs. But the
point is that most people still using DOS/Windows (without any external
tools) are probably doing so on older machines (I still have several XP
machines), and those tools won't be present on those older machines.
In fact, many of the people still using CMD.EXE batch language, are
probably running their PCs by oil light, in a cave somewhere in Afghanistan
(or similar).
BTW, REXX? Seriously???
--
"Only a genius could lose a billion dollars running a casino."
"You know what they say: the house always loses."
"When life gives you lemons, don't pay taxes."
"Grab 'em by the p***y!"