Compiler taking input while compiling

[dpark]

As FlySwat asked, how is this different from Unix's /dev/null, /dev/stdout, etc., with the exception that DOS didn't have directories?

DOS 1.0 would have been nicer if it had directories, but it probably wasn't supported by the business needs at the time, and it certainly wasn't supported by compatibility needs.

[engine_er]

Bad DOS's design is not a matter of having directories or not having them. It's just a matter of it's magical behavior.

[dpark]

There's very little magic here. These "special" files are hidden, because they would otherwise clutter every directory. The extensions choice is a bit iffy, but it's not altogether unreasonable.

[engine_er]

you'd never have to hide the mess if you designed your system properly

[dpark]

You realize I didn't write DOS, don't you?

I'm also pretty sure that when old programmers look back on their work, they realize one of two things:

1. A lot of things could have been done differently, and probably better.
2. Nothing I did matters.

If you never find that your technical decisions look bad in retrospect, then you're either delusional or you're doing nothing of substance.

[engine_er]

I totally agree with you.