I have spent some time thinking about optimizations in a C++ program I write, like when implementing conservative GC (garbage collectors) and the like: On this very low level, one must think very hard on whether can allow an increment like "count++", and the like, because it happens every time an object is called. So, I think optimizations will never be out of the question: When computers become more powerful, the first optimization is for time. In addition, the places that need the most optimizations are often only a few places with code that is called often. With TeX, if long names decrease speed, the should only be used at places that are not called to often. Similarly all macro expansions that can be avoided should be avoided in code that is called often. However, with code that is more high level, and is not called so often, the opposite often happens: One should indeed put in extra macro expansions and the like, if that can help describing the programming structures: This will help making the code safer and also cutting developing time. Hans Aberg * Email: Hans Aberg <mailto:[log in to unmask]> * Home Page: <http://www.matematik.su.se/~haberg/> * AMS member listing: <http://www.ams.org/cml/>