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So which is more likely: that C and C++ are the best languages ever developed for the kinds of programs they are used for, or that they were just in the right p
by cageface 14y ago
So which is more likely: that C and C++ are the best languages ever developed for the kinds of programs they are used for, or that they were just in the right place at the right time?
Or, they're better than any alternative for certain domains and the people that choose C++ know about Lisp, Haskell, Scala, Ocaml etc and still decide to use it despite its shortcomings?
It's a simple question - if Lisp really is superior for these kinds of apps then why isn't there some small, nimble team out there kicking ass with it?
- Locke1689 14y agoThere was and you're posting on it right now.
- cageface 14y agoHN is interesting because of the community and Y combinator's backing. The software behind it is laughably crude compared to other web forums. It could easily be replicated in any number of other languages, with better results. Maybe we'd even see the last of those "link expired" errors?
- flyinRyan 14y agoSurely you know the history to which the previous poster is referring? YC exists because pg and others build a company in Lisp and sold it for millions. They were a small team so they chose Lisp exactly because it helped them stay nimble.
- acdha 14y agoThey chose Lisp because they were comfortable with it - nimble is a social trait, not a language feature. It's not like Lisp automatically makes everything successful - the market-trailing HN performance and UI iteration times are a strong argument that technical factors frequently do not determine success.