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C being what it is lacks support for multiple return…

“C being what it is lacks support for multiple return values, so the notion that it is meaningful to pass pointers to memory objects into which any random function may write random values without having a clue where they point, has not been debunked as the sheer idiocy it really is.” quote by Erik Naggum
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“C being what it is lacks support for multiple return values, so the notion that it is meaningful to pass pointers to memory objects into which any random function may write random values without having a clue where they point, has not been debunked as the sheer idiocy it really is.”

Erik Naggum

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

C lacks native support for multiple returns, making pointer misuse risky and error‑prone.

In simple terms: C doesn’t easily return multiple values, leading to unsafe pointer use.

Key Takeaway

Prefer safer alternatives for multiple outputs.

Themes

programming C software design

Mood

critical technical

Type

programming technical

When to use this quote

  • API design
  • system programming
  • code review

Key Concepts

Memory safety function design error handling

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safer patterns can replace pointer tricks?
  • How to mitigate pointer errors in C?
A Different Perspective

Alternative languages may simplify the problem.

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