blaaf's New Writeups

BCPL (thing)

2003-03-13T06:00:28Z

BCPL is an abandoned fossil of a language; if it is known at all today it is usually for being the grandfather of C. Certainly the most striking aspect of BCPL from a modern perspective is its loose typing, which is certainly an understatement. Whereas in C there is as little typechecking as possible, in BCPL there is none at all, because there is only one type, usually simply referred to as a "value." String literals are accomodated in an implementation-dependent manner--usually a string is packed into an array. The holy writ of BCPL is the book BCPL: The Language and its Compiler by Martin Richards and Colin Whitby-Strevens. BCPL was intended as a sort of general-purpose systems programming language, designed by taking the general syntax and features of CPL and stripping out the datatypes and sophistication. In the first chapter, the author explains:

The philosophy of BCPL is not one of a tyrant who thinks he knows best and lays down the law on what is and what

…

Gujarat (place)

2002-08-15T15:05:55Z

Gujarat is a state in western India bordering Pakistan and the Arabian Sea with an area of 196,024 km² (75,685 sq. mi.) and a population of over 50 million. Mahatma Gandhi was born, lived, and developed much of his philosophy of non-violence here, and according to tradition, Lord Krishna (though born in Uttar Pradesh) lived most of his life and established his kingdom here. The capital is Gandhi Nagar, but the largest city and former capital is Ahmedabad with a population of 3.5 million.

Religion is primarily Hindu, with a substantial Muslim and Jain minority. The Gujarati diet is strictly vegetarian for most Hindus. Gujarati is also the dialect spoken in this state.

Unfortunately, Gujarat has been the center of many calamities in recent times. On January 26, 2001, one of the worst earthquakes in India's history struck, killing nearly 20,000, injuring many more and displacing hundreds of thousands. This earthquake was centered in Bhuj and…

Rob Roy's Grave (thing)

2002-07-31T19:18:40Z

A famous man is Robin Hood,
The English ballad-singer's joy!
And Scotland has a thief as good,
An outlaw of as daring mood;
She has her brave Rob Roy!
Then clear the weeds from off his Grave,
And let us chant a passing stave,
In honour of that Hero brave!

Heaven gave Rob Roy a dauntless heart
And wondrous length and strength of arm:
Nor craved he more to quell his foes,
Or keep his friends from harm.

Yet was Rob Roy as wise as brave;
Forgive me if the phrase be strong;--
A Poet worthy of Rob Roy
Must scorn a timid song.

Say, then, that he was 'wise' as brave;
As wise in thought as bold in deed:
For in the principles of things
'He' sought his moral creed.

Said generous Rob, "What need of books?
Burn all the statutes and their shelves:
They stir us…

Psalm 116 (thing)

2002-07-23T18:53:16Z

1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call…

Psalm 114 (thing)

2002-07-23T18:49:25Z

1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

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Psalm 113 (thing)

2002-07-23T18:45:01Z

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.

4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

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