Frequently Asked Questions about Harbour : Helping develop Harbour : Is it ok to extend the language with some spiffy new feature?
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3.9. Is it ok to extend the language with some spiffy new feature?

As a rule, no. As stated earlier Harbour is designed, as much as possible, to be a CA-Clipper 5.2e compatible Clipper compiler (with some 5.3 bits thrown in when it makes sense). As such, until such a time as we're all done on the compatibility front, the Harbour developers would prefer to keep the language as "pure" as possible.

That said, if you've got an idea for something you think should be added to the language please feel free to make your case on the developer's mailing list. Please note that emails along the lines of "I want feature X because I'd like to have it" don't cut much ice. Emails to that effect that actually offer a working patch might cut a little ice. Preferably, you'll come to the list with a well thought out and documented case for the addition of a new language extension and you'll be willing to discuss the proposal.

Also, don't be upset if it is rejected, this is free software after all, if you really feel that the extension is required you can maintain a patch in parallel or, if you really must (but we'd prefer if you didn't), you could maintain a forked distribution of Harbour.


Frequently Asked Questions about Harbour : Helping develop Harbour : Is it ok to extend the language with some spiffy new feature?
Previous: Are there any development guidelines?
Next: So what's with all these language extensions then?