Every now and then the "programming as theory building" article shows up on HN. Language design is even closer to theory building, as it's awfully easy for two

Every now and then the "programming as theory building" article shows up on HN. Language design is even closer to theory building, as it's awfully easy for two superficially unrelated features to interact in an inconsistent way. (see also Joel Moses on "beautiful crystal structure" vs "ball of mud")