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This is the second small code snippet I've seen on HN this week that is intentionally unreadable. What is the draw in obfuscating code to make some silly "art"?
by caymanjim 8y ago
This is the second small code snippet I've seen on HN this week that is intentionally unreadable. What is the draw in obfuscating code to make some silly "art"? I'm far less likely to compile and run it when I can't read it.
- chrismorgan 8y agoIt’s art. You might as well ask of painting and drawing artwork what its purpose is.
- pfortuny 8y agoI would say it is more "craftsmanship" than "art": it is the proof of an ability, not something made to please. Of course, this is just debatable. But the normal person will not be awed or simply pleased seeing the code. Only a good craftsman will appreciate it, which is its purpose.
- nurettin 8y agoI can clearly read it on my phone. Says "TWO KİLO".
- subfay 8y agoAgree. It's not art but an unfounded fear that one might steal/fork the source and get more credits.
- userbinator 8y agoIf you think this is unreadable you should look at what "normal" APL code looks like. Then consider there are people who work with such code every day, being very productive in it, and to which normally-formatted C would appear excessively verbose. That really changes your perspective...