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Physics tends to attract cranks though. I credit the compiler as The Great Filter for autodidactism working so well with programmers. It's good to have a tight

Physics tends to attract cranks though. I credit the compiler as The Great Filter for autodidactism working so well with programmers. It's good to have a tight feedback loop.

noir_lord 10y ago
> I credit the compiler as The Great Filter for autodidactism. That's an interesting idea, I've noticed over 30 years of programming that in general the programmers who learned programming using compilers (particularly the more 'pedantic' ones) are generally more rigorous than the ones who learned with interpreted languages. I've also noticed that (again a horrible generalisation) that the ones who learned with compilers are more likely to check return values and such even interpreted languages. Personally, I've always preferred 'simple' languages that have insanely pedantic compilers over interpreted languages (which is somewhat amusing since I spend my life writing Python, PHP and Javascript) particularly ones with strong typing as most errors I make are simple assumptions that foo is TypeA and it ended up TypeB.
- internaut 10y ago
  I can't count the number of times I had this fantastic idea and typed it up, only to find "whoops, that was insane". http://i.imgur.com/0Ou29x3.png http://i.imgur.com/0Ou29x3.png The Compiler is Cruel, but Fair. Imagine if I didn't recover, but instead continued building more constructs onto the false foundation for days, weeks or months.
jfoutz 10y ago
The first time through, i thought you meant implementing a compiler. That was the one thing that completely, ruthlessly eliminated any "magic" in the computer. But, no, your point is, it doesn't really matter what crazy theory you have about how computers work, because running code is the ultimate arbiter of success. If you can't pass the compiler, you can't even start. neat.
- internaut 10y ago
  Yes. I think Bitcoin is an example of this in action. I remember some people (academics if I remember right) thought it technically impossible for a variety of security, comp sci theory or economic reasons. Since then it has become clear a blockchain is a valid expression of computation and economy, flaws notwithstanding.

Physics tends to attract cranks though. I credit the compiler as The Great Filter for autodidactism working so well with programmers. It's good to have a tight feedback loop.

noir_lord 10y ago

> I credit the compiler as The Great Filter for autodidactism. That's an interesting idea, I've noticed over 30 years of programming that in general the programmers who learned programming using compilers (particularly the more 'pedantic' ones) are generally more rigorous than the ones who learned with interpreted languages. I've also noticed that (again a horrible generalisation) that the ones who learned with compilers are more likely to check return values and such even interpreted languages. Personally, I've always preferred 'simple' languages that have insanely pedantic compilers over interpreted languages (which is somewhat amusing since I spend my life writing Python, PHP and Javascript) particularly ones with strong typing as most errors I make are simple assumptions that foo is TypeA and it ended up TypeB.

internaut 10y ago
I can't count the number of times I had this fantastic idea and typed it up, only to find "whoops, that was insane". http://i.imgur.com/0Ou29x3.png http://i.imgur.com/0Ou29x3.png The Compiler is Cruel, but Fair. Imagine if I didn't recover, but instead continued building more constructs onto the false foundation for days, weeks or months.

jfoutz 10y ago

The first time through, i thought you meant implementing a compiler. That was the one thing that completely, ruthlessly eliminated any "magic" in the computer. But, no, your point is, it doesn't really matter what crazy theory you have about how computers work, because running code is the ultimate arbiter of success. If you can't pass the compiler, you can't even start. neat.

internaut 10y ago
Yes. I think Bitcoin is an example of this in action. I remember some people (academics if I remember right) thought it technically impossible for a variety of security, comp sci theory or economic reasons. Since then it has become clear a blockchain is a valid expression of computation and economy, flaws notwithstanding.