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>I don’t buy the lack of types argument in any programming language to be a compelling argument. Maybe consider that you or other authors you’re working with ar

>I don’t buy the lack of types argument in any programming language to be a compelling argument. Maybe consider that you or other authors you’re working with are bad at writing software. I don't buy the lack of seatbelts argument in any car to be a compelling argument. Maybe consider that you or other drivers you're driving nearby are bad at driving.

lobstrosity420 4y ago
Types are more like that annoying chime that beeps when you have the door open.
- emehex 4y ago
  I think this is only true for a language like Python, or TypeScript, where types are second class citizens… For me, using types in Swift is sort of like “NOS” in that it’s helped me go faster (and further”!
  - scaredginger 4y ago
    I still find typing in Python and TypeScript hugely beneficial, even just for how it makes my editor work better. Being able to click to a definition does wonders for reading unfamiliar code
    - wruza 4y ago
      definition In python, go and C maybe, but in typescript? People tend to kungfu-type their APIs way too much where healthy repetition would suffice. I believe ts typing power will eventually become “considered harmful”. I also think that ts should have a way to intertwine types as it does now, but leave that to technical part of dts and give a way to declare that by <that gibberish> you meant <this clear interface>.
  - LelouBil 4y ago
    Typescript types are really powerful imo. I didn't do much js but I was always amazed at how library authors can just "make everything click" with them. Remind me a bit of Rust's type system.
enriquto 4y ago
> I don't buy the lack of seatbelts argument in any car to be a compelling argument. Maybe consider that you or other drivers you're driving nearby are bad at driving. Types are a good idea of many languages, but not a universally good idea. I love your seatbelt analogy. Since seabelts are a good feature of cars, this does not mean at all that they would be a good feature for sailboats. Or for bicycles. In fact, they would be a terrible and very dangerous feature!
- petee 4y ago
  I like your take, though I think the analogy is more accurately applied as -- if you need lifejackets you are a bad sailor, or if you need a bicycle helmet you are a bad rider
  - enriquto 4y ago
    Of course! And if you happen to want lifejackets and seatbelts on your bicycle, then everybody will be safe to assume that you are an exceptionally bad rider. Same thing for wanting types on languages where they are not needed.
qikInNdOutReply 4y ago
The whole derive arguments is a ease of access gimick, with a heavy payment later in the game. This is why lua is in beginner sandboxes like robblox, which then will later turn into jaded developers, yearning for types.
pydave 4y ago
Seatbelts don't impede my ability to drive (having to constantly manage the car keeps me in the seat). Types _do_ impede my ability to write code: I have to write more of it. Types can certainly help prevent something from going wrong, but they're not a zero programmer time cost safety feature. OP worded it aggressively, but if someone can't see how others benefit from lower overhead, they should look closer.

lobstrosity420 4y ago

Types are more like that annoying chime that beeps when you have the door open.

emehex 4y ago
I think this is only true for a language like Python, or TypeScript, where types are second class citizens… For me, using types in Swift is sort of like “NOS” in that it’s helped me go faster (and further”!
- scaredginger 4y ago
  I still find typing in Python and TypeScript hugely beneficial, even just for how it makes my editor work better. Being able to click to a definition does wonders for reading unfamiliar code
  - wruza 4y ago
    definition In python, go and C maybe, but in typescript? People tend to kungfu-type their APIs way too much where healthy repetition would suffice. I believe ts typing power will eventually become “considered harmful”. I also think that ts should have a way to intertwine types as it does now, but leave that to technical part of dts and give a way to declare that by <that gibberish> you meant <this clear interface>.
- LelouBil 4y ago
  Typescript types are really powerful imo. I didn't do much js but I was always amazed at how library authors can just "make everything click" with them. Remind me a bit of Rust's type system.

enriquto 4y ago

> I don't buy the lack of seatbelts argument in any car to be a compelling argument. Maybe consider that you or other drivers you're driving nearby are bad at driving. Types are a good idea of many languages, but not a universally good idea. I love your seatbelt analogy. Since seabelts are a good feature of cars, this does not mean at all that they would be a good feature for sailboats. Or for bicycles. In fact, they would be a terrible and very dangerous feature!

petee 4y ago
I like your take, though I think the analogy is more accurately applied as -- if you need lifejackets you are a bad sailor, or if you need a bicycle helmet you are a bad rider
- enriquto 4y ago
  Of course! And if you happen to want lifejackets and seatbelts on your bicycle, then everybody will be safe to assume that you are an exceptionally bad rider. Same thing for wanting types on languages where they are not needed.

qikInNdOutReply 4y ago

The whole derive arguments is a ease of access gimick, with a heavy payment later in the game. This is why lua is in beginner sandboxes like robblox, which then will later turn into jaded developers, yearning for types.

pydave 4y ago

Seatbelts don't impede my ability to drive (having to constantly manage the car keeps me in the seat). Types _do_ impede my ability to write code: I have to write more of it. Types can certainly help prevent something from going wrong, but they're not a zero programmer time cost safety feature. OP worded it aggressively, but if someone can't see how others benefit from lower overhead, they should look closer.