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by PeterisP 4441 days ago
To me, "almost completely compatible" sounds similar to "just a tiny bit pregnant". In practice, either it is compatible, or it isn't.
2 comments
pavelludiq 4440 days ago
Show me a language with >1 implementation where at least two are completely compatible. Common Lisp has one of the best track records in this aspect. C, C++ and JavaScript are all far worse.
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TheLoneWolfling 4440 days ago
Not necessarily.

Java 6 and 7 are "almost completely compatible".

Most programs written in Java 6 will run in Java 7, and vice versa. But not all.

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chc 4440 days ago
C++ is similar with regards to C code. They're compatible enough that a lot of people will write "C/C++", but they're still incompatible enough that you'll get yelled at by a lot of people if you write "C/C++".
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