An Ethics Question

[steve emmerson]

I differentiate "global" variables into two types: "external" and "static".
Just like their namesakes, external global variables are visible outside
the compilation unit (file) in which they're defined whereas static
global variables (an oxymoron? ;-) can be easily referenced only from within 
the compilation unit.

I use external global variables *very* rarely.  I sometimes use static
global variables, rather than argument passing, from within a compilation
unit, even when strictly unnecessary.  If the unit is small enough, the
conceptual problems are small: about the same as the speed gain.  It's
a toss-up.
-- 
Steve Emmerson                     Inet: steve at umigw.miami.edu [128.116.10.1]
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"Computers are like God in the Old Testament: lots of rules and no mercy"