3 ms·

I don't see the relevance on knowing Leslie Lamport to learn about TLA+ - what is the matter? One thing has nothing to do with the other... Would be valuable to

I don't see the relevance on knowing Leslie Lamport to learn about TLA+ - what is the matter? One thing has nothing to do with the other... Would be valuable to learn that he dresses like a clown or like indiana jones in conferences and my preference on learning TLA?

mettamage 9y ago
"Would be valuable to learn that he dresses like a clown or like indiana jones in conferences and my preference on learning TLA?" Of course not. That question is too simple, and you know it! ;) Could you also ask a question that completely gives a counter example? Could you think of a question that does help learning TLA+ because you know something about Leslie Lamport? Have it as a fun exercise for 10 minutes, or not, it might stretch your mind a bit since you claim that you can't see the relevance. Here is why I like to know about authors who found a field: Knowing the author may give an idea or context about TLA+. While not strictly necessary, it may be interesting background information that people don't know about. I presume that Lamport has one of the most, if not the most authentic reason for why he created TLA+ in the first place. Reading that reason may motivate people more to learn more about TLA+, or demotivate people more -- but for the right reasons! Furthermore, discussions can be associative: gabuzome gave book recommendations written by Lamport. I didn't know Lamport wrote one (I know very little about Lamport) and since he now recommended it I'm happy to know that the founder of TLA+ also writes books worthy enough of a recommendation. It personally gives me more confidence to read it and take a crack at it.
- sseveran 9y ago
  Plus his website has a bunch of good resources linked from it. http://www.lamport.org http://www.lamport.org
andrewflnr 9y ago
Affect my decision to learn TLA? Probably not. Entertaining? Interesting? Something I would want to know? Yes.

mettamage 9y ago

"Would be valuable to learn that he dresses like a clown or like indiana jones in conferences and my preference on learning TLA?" Of course not. That question is too simple, and you know it! ;) Could you also ask a question that completely gives a counter example? Could you think of a question that does help learning TLA+ because you know something about Leslie Lamport? Have it as a fun exercise for 10 minutes, or not, it might stretch your mind a bit since you claim that you can't see the relevance. Here is why I like to know about authors who found a field: Knowing the author may give an idea or context about TLA+. While not strictly necessary, it may be interesting background information that people don't know about. I presume that Lamport has one of the most, if not the most authentic reason for why he created TLA+ in the first place. Reading that reason may motivate people more to learn more about TLA+, or demotivate people more -- but for the right reasons! Furthermore, discussions can be associative: gabuzome gave book recommendations written by Lamport. I didn't know Lamport wrote one (I know very little about Lamport) and since he now recommended it I'm happy to know that the founder of TLA+ also writes books worthy enough of a recommendation. It personally gives me more confidence to read it and take a crack at it.

sseveran 9y ago
Plus his website has a bunch of good resources linked from it. http://www.lamport.org http://www.lamport.org

andrewflnr 9y ago

Affect my decision to learn TLA? Probably not. Entertaining? Interesting? Something I would want to know? Yes.