5 ms·

Syntax aesthetics shouldn't be an important metric for technology choices.

• kouPhax 16y ago
  They "shouldn't" be, but more often than not they are. At least in my experience of try to introduce people to new languages/technologies.
• Calamitous 16y ago
  Why not? Aesthetics improve readability and maintainability, (probably) trading out for less raw speed. If I'm less concerned about performance than maintainability, why shouldn't aesthetics play a large role in my decision?
  • deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]
  • nullstyle 16y ago
    For me, unfamiliarity with a syntax is easy to confuse as poor aesthetics of the syntax. I got to the point of understanding and enjoying clojure's syntax very quickly.
  • compay 16y ago
    Because it can lead you to make arbitrary choices. People usually disagree vehemently on matters of aesthetics. I didn't say it shouldn't play any role, it just shouldn't be an important one. Focus too much on syntax over semantics and you're bikeshedding.
    • LaPingvino 16y ago
      I get lost easily in non-lisp-code nowadays =x The unwritten standard for lisp indentation works out quite readably
• InclinedPlane 16y ago
  Counter-point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck
  • compay 16y ago
    That's a usability issue, not an aesthetic one.