4 ms·

It's so weird having one k post a day, like clockwork.

by maest 7y ago

smabie 7y ago
I think people are getting excited by Shakti (or maybe it's coordinated?). I'm hoping array programming is going to break into the mainstream, it's remarkable that even many experienced programmers know nothing about array languages. And when exposed, most just dismiss them out of hand as 'unreadable' or 'line-noise.'
- theamk 7y ago
  Array programming is already mainstream -- matlab, python/numpy, R are used daily. The first time one does it, it is very enlightening -- "what do you mean I can operate on millions of entries without loops"? The only thing which is unclear is why would one want to use unreadable line-noise languages for that.
  - yiyus 7y ago
    > The only thing which is unclear is why would one want to use unreadable line-noise languages for that. I find this attitude unrespectful and not very productive. In all these threads, many of us try to explain why we find this way to write software convenient, readable, and powerful. Then, people who do not even consider giving it a try, make comments like yours. This does not create a good atmosphere. If you are not interested, move on to another story. If you really want to understand it, you will need to invest some time, and we will be glad to answer any question.
    - theamk 7y ago
      I like array programing, and I think that it is an extremely nice and convenient tool for the right task. The grandparent is right, “it's remarkable that even many experienced programmers know nothing about array languages”. I wish more people learned about them! And that is precisely why I find statements like “I'm hoping array programming is going to break into the mainstream” very annoying - it is not 1970’s anymore, you don’t get to pretend your only options are APL or write matrix multiplication by hand, every time. There are entire university departments full of people who only know matlab. You cannot just pretend they don’t exist. I wish there was an modern tutorial which compares K to something like numpy or matlab.
      - yiyus 7y ago
        > I wish there was an modern tutorial which compares K to something like numpy or matlab. That's a very reasonable request. In my opinion, one of the problems with array languages is the lack of introductory material. If you know a good tutorial that includes numpy and Matlab, I may try to add k and/or j. Any suggestion?
oh_sigh 7y ago
They are clustered probably because HN readers see one story, and then find and submit similar content that they encounter. The same thing happens with gwern or rachelbythebay blog posts. If you see one, you will see more in the next week or so. But then it dies off

It's so weird having one k post a day, like clockwork.

by maest 7y ago

It's so weird having one k post a day, like clockwork.

I think people are getting excited by Shakti (or maybe it's coordinated?). I'm hoping array programming is going to break into the mainstream, it's remarkable that even many experienced programmers know nothing about array languages. And when exposed, most just dismiss them out of hand as 'unreadable' or 'line-noise.'

theamk 7y ago
Array programming is already mainstream -- matlab, python/numpy, R are used daily. The first time one does it, it is very enlightening -- "what do you mean I can operate on millions of entries without loops"? The only thing which is unclear is why would one want to use unreadable line-noise languages for that.
- yiyus 7y ago
  > The only thing which is unclear is why would one want to use unreadable line-noise languages for that. I find this attitude unrespectful and not very productive. In all these threads, many of us try to explain why we find this way to write software convenient, readable, and powerful. Then, people who do not even consider giving it a try, make comments like yours. This does not create a good atmosphere. If you are not interested, move on to another story. If you really want to understand it, you will need to invest some time, and we will be glad to answer any question.
  - theamk 7y ago
    I like array programing, and I think that it is an extremely nice and convenient tool for the right task. The grandparent is right, “it's remarkable that even many experienced programmers know nothing about array languages”. I wish more people learned about them! And that is precisely why I find statements like “I'm hoping array programming is going to break into the mainstream” very annoying - it is not 1970’s anymore, you don’t get to pretend your only options are APL or write matrix multiplication by hand, every time. There are entire university departments full of people who only know matlab. You cannot just pretend they don’t exist. I wish there was an modern tutorial which compares K to something like numpy or matlab.
    - yiyus 7y ago
      > I wish there was an modern tutorial which compares K to something like numpy or matlab. That's a very reasonable request. In my opinion, one of the problems with array languages is the lack of introductory material. If you know a good tutorial that includes numpy and Matlab, I may try to add k and/or j. Any suggestion?

oh_sigh 7y ago

They are clustered probably because HN readers see one story, and then find and submit similar content that they encounter. The same thing happens with gwern or rachelbythebay blog posts. If you see one, you will see more in the next week or so. But then it dies off