Re: What's right with FORTH and wrong with c.l.f.

On Apr 30, 11:14 pm, Richard Owlett <rowl...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Someone else has compiled raw data. It's available in ASCII format.
> That requires me to parse it.
> I doubt anyone would claim string handling as a Forth forte.
I do. Sure, you need some extra words, but I do actually think that
string handling is one of the strengths of Forth. Some feats I've done
in 4tH (my Forth):
- Parsing Cisco XML files without any extra (external) libs;
- Patching 4tH source files with extra commands without adding any
special markers;
- Eliza (I've not been the only one), text adventure game.

I've equivalents of Basic string handling (start/count), ZX string
handling (start/end), but I rarely seem to use them. /STRING. 1-, CHOP
and BOUNDS are much handier tools in everyday use. And yes, I got
equivalents for substring replacement and substring deletion as well.
Parsing files is unmatched in Forth/4tH. Much easier and versatile
than e.g. C.

I'd never believe for twenty years I'd say this but I do.

Hans