Re: Should gnuplot become a programming environment? - If yes, how?

[Philipp K. J. <ja...@ie...>]

One more question in the whole argument:

Even if we agree that adding programming
functionality to gnuplot is a good thing,
it nevertheless leaves open the decision
HOW this should be done.

Is adding convenience features to the core
language in an essentially ad-hoc manner
the best strategy? 

Or would it make sense to invest some effort 
to have tighter integration with an existing 
programming environment (rather than reinventing 
loops, functions, data structures within gnuplot)?

Or would it be possible to split functionality 
into a "core" (graphics) part and an "optional" 
part, with a clear separation of concerns?

Or can one have an "extension" framework so
that people can add features without having
to hack gnuplot backend C code?

The current strategy seems to be that there
is none. That may give short term wins, but
the end result is going to be a mess.

Best,

		Ph.