I think it didn't work out well, because "int" being different size makes programming difficult. For example, a system must manage up to 100 000 records. Can I use int for record number? What if it is 16 bits? What if I need to send data between machines, how can I use "int" if it can be different size?
Probably someone noticed that it is inconvenient, and on 64-bit machine ints are still 32-bit and not 64.
The computers with 16-bit ints or 9-bit bytes are long gone, but the language still has to carry that legacy.
codedokode · · focus · HN ↗
Probably someone noticed that it is inconvenient, and on 64-bit machine ints are still 32-bit and not 64.
The computers with 16-bit ints or 9-bit bytes are long gone, but the language still has to carry that legacy.