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I agree. Our framework, libraries, and/or interfaces can and should make a bigger difference than programming language. If you have to use the "weird parts" of

by tabtab 7y ago

I agree. Our framework, libraries, and/or interfaces can and should make a bigger difference than programming language. If you have to use the "weird parts" of a language to get typical work done, you are doing something wrong. And if you are not using the weird parts, then programming languages look and do pretty much the same thing. Braggings such as, "look! My language can do double recursive lambda backflips while blindfolded and chewing gum!" are mostly just 1950's car racing done in cubicles. We buy cars to get to work and shops as cheaply and conveniently as possible, not beat Fonzy.

syastrov 7y ago
I think it really depends on how you use the “weird parts”. Some of those let you write code much more concisely and effectively. Used in the wrong context, it’s a unnecessary distraction. It also depends on if you want to write “typical code” or code that the competition can’t match. See Paul Graham’s essay on the Blub Paradox [0], which discusses why some languages seem to have “weird parts” from the perspective of someone who knows a less-powerful language. [0] http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html
- tabtab 7y ago
  You make it hard to hire if you limit the field to those who know the esoteric techniques. Programming itself is mostly a dead-end career; you either move into management or quasi-management, or face ageism on average. There is thus not a lot of incentive to "perfect the art".
imtringued 7y ago
In my experience productivity is strongly correlated with the quality of frameworks and libraries that are available to a language. Java as a language might be fine but batshit insane frameworks like JSF really drag your productivity down. There are also solid libraries available but they are often too complicated and hard to use. Languages built on top of the JVM often have very very thin wrappers that increase the usability hundredfold.

by tabtab 7y ago

syastrov 7y ago

I think it really depends on how you use the “weird parts”. Some of those let you write code much more concisely and effectively. Used in the wrong context, it’s a unnecessary distraction. It also depends on if you want to write “typical code” or code that the competition can’t match. See Paul Graham’s essay on the Blub Paradox [0], which discusses why some languages seem to have “weird parts” from the perspective of someone who knows a less-powerful language. [0] http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html

tabtab 7y ago
You make it hard to hire if you limit the field to those who know the esoteric techniques. Programming itself is mostly a dead-end career; you either move into management or quasi-management, or face ageism on average. There is thus not a lot of incentive to "perfect the art".

imtringued 7y ago

In my experience productivity is strongly correlated with the quality of frameworks and libraries that are available to a language. Java as a language might be fine but batshit insane frameworks like JSF really drag your productivity down. There are also solid libraries available but they are often too complicated and hard to use. Languages built on top of the JVM often have very very thin wrappers that increase the usability hundredfold.