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This analogy implies that all other tools are 1000% safer, but they are not. In C it’s like pointing to a dusty corner behind a table in a room full of dirt.

When was the last time you did “cut your arm” with goto specifically? What’s the count and time ratio to other issues? Were these also addressed as taboo or left as “experience earned”? Gotophobia in its largest part is just a stupid meme with no real world data.



> This analogy implies that all other tools are 1000% safer, but they are not.

What an oddly specific presumption.


Where do I imply other tools are 1000% safer?

Even 30% safer is a win.

30% safer, 30% more readable, and 30% more productive would be even better.

> When was the last time you did “cut your arm” with goto specifically?

It's been a while since I've used C, and even longer since I've personally written goto statements. I do remember frequently getting tripped up on them right after undergrad. It's not friendly, and I don't ever wish to touch them again.

I'm working in a C++ game engine project right now and it's constantly segfaulting. I can't imagine that setting register jumps manually in complex higher level code would improve my situation.

When I get to choose the language, I use Rust. It fits the C use case and fixes many of the warts.


I do remember frequently getting tripped up on them right after undergrad. It's not friendly, and I don't ever wish to touch them again.

So it’s something bad from the undergrad past, no details. Must we take an advice based on that? I’m not sure I will.

I'm working in a C++ game engine project right now and it's constantly segfaulting. I can't imagine that setting register jumps manually in complex higher level code would improve my situation.

Neither would tabooing something based on weak or no evidence. “It doesn’t help here” and “we ban it and ostracize its use” are two different claims.


> So it’s something bad from the undergrad past

I was writing laser projector video games that played on the side of skyscrapers in undergrad. Speak for yourself.




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