@supercat: This is interesting. I had assumed the standard was an attempt at something analogous to an API for how source code controls the computer (via compilation and then execution), defining a standardized meeting point that compiler writers and programmers could rely on. For example, when programming embedded systems, I had assumed I can rely on "volatile" because of the standard, but your comment makes me think I am relying more on a historical understanding shared with the compiler writers, an understanding that the standard has not even tried to capture very clearly. —
Matt 38 secs ago