4

Once I've been told that saying 'this code is pure C' is incorrect, and I should use 'plain' instead of 'pure'.

Unfortunately, I can't see any difference. For example, how do I say something like this:

  • 'You cannot solve this problem using plain (?) algebra. You have to use some geometry as well'
  • '@autoreleasepool is not plain (?) C, it's Objective-C.'

I know there are some set phrases like 'This [idea] is pure genius' and in this case one can't replace 'pure' with 'plain'.

What about other cases? When to use 'plain' and when to use 'pure'?

7
  • "That program was developed purely on java" - This is a valid statement.
    – Varun Nair
    Jan 14, 2016 at 10:27
  • 2
    I doubt if This code is pure C (or C++, Java, JavaScript, or any other language) is really wrong. Jan 14, 2016 at 10:57
  • @DamkerngT., I also think so. But if 'pure' is correct, when should I use 'plain' then?
    – ForceBru
    Jan 14, 2016 at 10:59
  • You cannot solve this problem using algebra alone. You have to use (some) geometry as well.
    – GoDucks
    Jan 14, 2016 at 11:02
  • 1
    "Written in pure C" looks like a pretty common phrase if you Google it. I think whoever told you it was wrong was incorrect.
    – stangdon
    Jan 14, 2016 at 12:40

2 Answers 2

2

What did you mean what you said the program is "pure C"?

"Pure" means this and nothing else, no contaminants or extra ingredients. "Plain" means ordinary.

So if your point was that the program is written with C and C alone, that there is no Java or Visual Basic or COBOL code in there, than your statement was perfectly correct and the normal way to express this idea.

If you meant that it used traditional C, K&R-ish, and not C# or C++, then I'd say "pure C" is not the correct term. "Plain C" would be more accurate, as you mean the ordinary, old, traditional C, and not the fancy new kinds of C like C#.

2

Plain has the meaning without embellishment or bells and whistles or additional features
Pure has the meaning without other ingredients

this code is pure C

is correct if the codebase is only in C and nothing else

Plain C is usually as specified by Kernighan and Ritchie, other flavours of C will depend on the compiler implementation, for example how macros are handled or compile time variables or object handling.

Another example would be orange juice:

Plain orange juice can be thought of as the juice from sweet oranges and is the official orange juice of Florida. Fancier orange juices may use blood, valencia, or mandarin oranges as their source.

Pure 100% orange juice would be juice from only oranges without any additives and is sometimes referred to as fresh squeezed when appropriate. Orange juice additives may include calcium, omega-3, vitamin-D, anti-oxidants, as well as other fruit juices. A popular addition to orange juice is vodka and the result is called a screwdriver.

For your algebra example

plain algebra

may refer to what is more technically called elementary algebra also colloquially called simple algebra or high school algebra to make the distinction with

abstract algebra
polynomial algebra
linear algebra
non-linear algebra

2
  • 2
    Well, I'd say "plain orange juice" means "orange juice that is not fancy". That could mean that you haven't added ingredients to liven it up -- added spices or alcohol or something -- in which case it could also be described as "pure". Or it could mean that it is orange juice made from ordinary oranges as opposed to special oranges grown at our high-tech farm or using our special patened fertilizer or whatever. "Pure" would mean containing real orange and nothing else, probably meaning we haven't added artifical flavors, or it is not contaminated with toxic chemicals.
    – Jay
    Jan 14, 2016 at 20:33
  • @Jay +1 I;ve incorporated your thoughts in the answer
    – Peter
    Jan 15, 2016 at 0:18

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .