3 ms·

int sum = 0; for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) sum += x[i]; Pretty much looks the same in all C-like languages. I've written that in Java, Go, TypeScript

int sum = 0; for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) sum += x[i]; Pretty much looks the same in all C-like languages. I've written that in Java, Go, TypeScript, PHP, etc... On the other hand, that second 'clever' example always looks different for every stupid language. It's std::accumulate in C++, streams in Java, list comprehension in python, etc... Clear is better than clever.

floxy 2y ago
One man's clever is another man's clear. https://web.archive.org/web/20180619022832/http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~smillie/Jpage/MyLife.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180619022832/http://webdocs.cs... "The instructions corresponding to a conventional language might be expressed something like the following: Select an apple from the box. If it is good, set it aside in some place reserved for the good apples; if it is not good, discard it. Select a second apple; if it is good put it in the reserved place, and if it is not good discard it. ... Continue in this manner examining each apple in turn until all of the good apples have been selected. In summary, then, examine the apples one at a time starting with the first one we pick up and finishing with the last one in the box until we have selected and set aside all of the good apples. On the other hand the instructions corresponding to an array language could be stated simply as “Select all of the good apples from the box.” Of course, the apples would still have to be examined individually, but the apple-by-apple details could be left to the helper. Conventional programming languages may be considered then “one-apple-at-a-time” languages with machine languages being a very primitive form, whereas array languages may be considered “all-the-apples-at-once” languages. In two of the following three sections we shall consider the array languages APL and its “modern dialect” J with an intervening section giving a short discussion of the array language Nial which was influenced by APL."
bsza 2y ago
> Pretty much looks the same in all C-like languages Because it’s ancient; that doesn’t necessarily make it better or clearer. Look at it like you’ve never seen it before. It has an entire line of boilerplate smack bang in the middle. Sure, your brain filters it out because you’re used to it, but it’s still fugly. And it’s prone to typos/copypaste errors like all boilerplate.
- Xeoncross 2y ago
  Yes, but it's also not going anywhere. I don't consider replacing a common loop convention with what amounts to a randomly-generated sentence or two of syntax and letters in each language to be an improvement.
theshrike79 2y ago
Just the '++i' instead of 'i++' brought my reading that code to a halt and I had to start deciphering if it actually changes the operation of the loop.

floxy 2y ago

One man's clever is another man's clear. https://web.archive.org/web/20180619022832/http://webdocs.cs.ualberta.ca/~smillie/Jpage/MyLife.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20180619022832/http://webdocs.cs... "The instructions corresponding to a conventional language might be expressed something like the following: Select an apple from the box. If it is good, set it aside in some place reserved for the good apples; if it is not good, discard it. Select a second apple; if it is good put it in the reserved place, and if it is not good discard it. ... Continue in this manner examining each apple in turn until all of the good apples have been selected. In summary, then, examine the apples one at a time starting with the first one we pick up and finishing with the last one in the box until we have selected and set aside all of the good apples. On the other hand the instructions corresponding to an array language could be stated simply as “Select all of the good apples from the box.” Of course, the apples would still have to be examined individually, but the apple-by-apple details could be left to the helper. Conventional programming languages may be considered then “one-apple-at-a-time” languages with machine languages being a very primitive form, whereas array languages may be considered “all-the-apples-at-once” languages. In two of the following three sections we shall consider the array languages APL and its “modern dialect” J with an intervening section giving a short discussion of the array language Nial which was influenced by APL."

bsza 2y ago

> Pretty much looks the same in all C-like languages Because it’s ancient; that doesn’t necessarily make it better or clearer. Look at it like you’ve never seen it before. It has an entire line of boilerplate smack bang in the middle. Sure, your brain filters it out because you’re used to it, but it’s still fugly. And it’s prone to typos/copypaste errors like all boilerplate.

Xeoncross 2y ago
Yes, but it's also not going anywhere. I don't consider replacing a common loop convention with what amounts to a randomly-generated sentence or two of syntax and letters in each language to be an improvement.

theshrike79 2y ago

Just the '++i' instead of 'i++' brought my reading that code to a halt and I had to start deciphering if it actually changes the operation of the loop.