Goto statements

The topic of "goto" statements has surfaced in several discussions, offering different perspectives on its usage and implications in programming:

1. John Carmack on the Lex Fridman Podcast shares that while "goto" statements were essential in early programming languages due to the lack of proper loops, they often led to unmanageable code. Though structured programming generally aids comprehension, he acknowledges that "goto" statements can sometimes be the appropriate choice, such as in the absence of certain language features or when handling nested breaks or error cleanups 1.

2. In an episode of the The Changelog, Andy Hunt discusses the impact of the catchy title "Goto Considered Harmful." He explains that the original context behind dismissing "goto" was related to mathematical proofs of program correctness, which are less relevant today. He highlights how programming wisdom often relies on historical perspectives that may need reevaluation 2.

3. A discussion on Coding Blocks brings attention to coding practices and structure. Although not directly focused on "goto," it touches on the broader implications of code readability and maintenance, which are often the arguments against using "goto" 3.

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     1

     Programming Beginnings

     00:01:57
     
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     2

     The Power of Headlines

     00:34:57
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     3

     Coding Style Preferences

     02:01:47

These insights help contextualize the historical and practical viewpoints on "goto" statements, suggesting they are not inherently bad but should be used judiciously within modern programming paradigms.