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I really can't imagine how that is supposed to be even remotely controversial. That's probably as controversial as saying that a $200-CPU built in 2013 is faste

I really can't imagine how that is supposed to be even remotely controversial. That's probably as controversial as saying that a $200-CPU built in 2013 is faster than a CPU in 1993. Isn't that just repeating the “all languages are equal”-myth?

seanmcdirmid 14y ago
Its not controversial. Since "superior" is a superlative, it doesn't actually mean anything. So what you said is true but meaningless. Its just a matter of English, not ideology.
- happy_dino 14y ago
  And what's your actual point now, except trying to disagree?
  - seanmcdirmid 14y ago
    My point is that the language is conceited and vacuous, basically used to incite arguments and nothing more. I'm not going to agree or disagree with something that has no meaning.
nnq 14y ago
I just hate it when people are right but choose a completely wrong analogy to explain their point: a language's superiority is always context dependent, while a CPUs speed is a cold hard scientific fact (with some gotchas, but nevertheless...). You're right and at the same time using such a wrong argument that you end up feeding the trolls in the process :)
- happy_dino 14y ago
  Just like a CPU, the design of the language was informed by the experience gained and the lessons learned when analysing/building its predecessors. The analogy is perfectly fine imho.
laureny 14y ago
> Isn't that just repeating the “all languages are equal”-myth? No, it's debunking the myth that you can compare any two languages and say which one is objectively superior. There is no such total ordering.
- happy_dino 14y ago
  In general, that's nonsense. There are certainly languages which are comparatively close, so that it is hard to tell, and where different weightings can lead to different results. That doesn't mean it is like this for every comparison. For instance, the comparison between Java and Scala certainly doesn't belong to this group, just like comparing PHP with many other languages also leads to a clear outcome. But honestly, I don't care. There are also people claiming that there is no "objective superiority" in cases like "evolution vs. intelligent design", "6000yo universe vs. billions of years", "software patents vs. no software patents", "no contraception/abortion vs. women's rights". Right reaction is to laugh and move on.

seanmcdirmid 14y ago

Its not controversial. Since "superior" is a superlative, it doesn't actually mean anything. So what you said is true but meaningless. Its just a matter of English, not ideology.

happy_dino 14y ago
And what's your actual point now, except trying to disagree?
- seanmcdirmid 14y ago
  My point is that the language is conceited and vacuous, basically used to incite arguments and nothing more. I'm not going to agree or disagree with something that has no meaning.

nnq 14y ago

I just hate it when people are right but choose a completely wrong analogy to explain their point: a language's superiority is always context dependent, while a CPUs speed is a cold hard scientific fact (with some gotchas, but nevertheless...). You're right and at the same time using such a wrong argument that you end up feeding the trolls in the process :)

happy_dino 14y ago
Just like a CPU, the design of the language was informed by the experience gained and the lessons learned when analysing/building its predecessors. The analogy is perfectly fine imho.

laureny 14y ago

> Isn't that just repeating the “all languages are equal”-myth? No, it's debunking the myth that you can compare any two languages and say which one is objectively superior. There is no such total ordering.

happy_dino 14y ago
In general, that's nonsense. There are certainly languages which are comparatively close, so that it is hard to tell, and where different weightings can lead to different results. That doesn't mean it is like this for every comparison. For instance, the comparison between Java and Scala certainly doesn't belong to this group, just like comparing PHP with many other languages also leads to a clear outcome. But honestly, I don't care. There are also people claiming that there is no "objective superiority" in cases like "evolution vs. intelligent design", "6000yo universe vs. billions of years", "software patents vs. no software patents", "no contraception/abortion vs. women's rights". Right reaction is to laugh and move on.