Algol syntax is weird. Tell me, what does this mean? x = x + 5 Obviously, it's a null statement. It's nonsense. x cannot equal x + 5 because that means 0

Algol syntax is weird. Tell me, what does this mean? x = x + 5 Obviously, it's a null statement. It's nonsense. x cannot equal x + 5 because that means 0 = 5 and, therefore, 0 = 1 and, therefore, all mathematics is broken. However, most Algols are completely happy to accept that statement, something we learned was nonsensical way back in our childhoods, as not only valid but as the only way of doing things. My point is, there is no such thing as a natural syntax. They're all weird. They all have to be learned. Some provide more benefits than others after they've been learned. (Also: You're only a newbie once. Optimizing for that one-time thing is a bit odd, when you'll spend far more of your life as an experienced programmer.)