
quately today, its speed will be ample tomorrow. In a few years you may even
have to start thinking about how to slow it down so people can use it!
CASE STUDY: One Unix Philosopher’s Bag Of Tricks
We have seen that given a choice between high efficiency and high portability,
Unix programmers’ preference weighs heavily with the latter. As a result, their
applications are often among the first to run on new platforms as they become
available. This gives their software a definite edge in the marketplace. In a
world where windows of opportunity open overnight and slam shut as soon as
a month later, pursuing the portability priority can mean the difference ...