Re: support for pre-C99 compilers

[Bruno H. <br...@cl...>]

Sam wrote:
> > removing 'varbrace' does not have a significant benefit.
> 
> The huge benefit is that C files will look like normal C.

This would not be a benefit. It would be a drawback.

During development, it is important to see all local variable declarations,
in an easy way.

With plain C syntax, neither Emacs nor kate can do this. Most probably, because
the C syntax is a bit ambiguous.

Whereas with 'var' syntax, editors can do this (see attached screenshot).

For this reason, plain C syntax without 'var' is inferior. Even if many people
use it.

> Removing varbrace and comment5 (what does "5" stand for, btw?) is just
> as important for CLISP as making cua-mode the default for Emacs. ;-)

You can remove comment5, if you or someone else converts the comments in the
remeining files (mostly lisparit.d and its include files) in a sensible way -
not in a cheap automated way.

I now prefer to write
  #if 0
   #define foo bar
  #endif
over
  # define foo bar
And comments are well highlighted in today's editors (because the C commment
syntax is unambiguous).

Bruno