[Proj] Accurate algorithm for geodesic calculations

[Gerald I. Evenden]

On Monday 02 March 2009 3:05:46 pm Karney, Charles F. wrote:
> > Again, this is not a language war, only a comment on how to reach the
> > widest audience.  Anyone who is an expert in C++ can easily understand
> > a C procedure but the reverse in not true.
>
> Ahh..., but it's not the case that anyone who can write passable C++
> code can write equivalently decent C code.  I went straight from Fortran
> to C++ without stopping off at C.  And no, I'm not going to go back to
> using Fortran.

Of course, that is an absurd statement.  C very much a subset of C++ and using 
C as an alternative is merely ignoring the superfluous parts of C++ that do 
little in facilitating most mathematical intensive procedures.

For clarity of code, FORTRAN is infinitely superior to C++.  That is as far as 
I will go in supporting FORTRAN.  

For sub-Mensa class individuals, such as myself, it is quite difficult to 
follow C++ and aspects of highly mathematical procedures that would be much 
clearer in a lower language.  This is especially true because of the 
multitude of techniques available in C++---none of which can be demonstrated 
as the best---to solve a problem.

However, forget the computer code, the clearest way to make your efforts 
available to everyone is to use the universal language of mathematics.  Then 
everyone can participate in newfound knowledge.  I can read a paper written 
in Chinese and still understand the math it contains.

Be a saint and publish in pdf!

-- 
The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due
to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum.
-- Havelock Ellis (1859-1939) British psychologist