Comment by nuclearnice3

2 years ago

Sounds right.

Additional examples at

https://github.com/louyx/aplus/blob/master/src/a/k.h

https://code.jsoftware.com/wiki/Essays/Incunabulum

How would you characterize that?

Heavy use of the C preprocessor and C defaults to embed a functional programming language. Language with a small number of core functions and ability to apply functions to lists of atoms. Aesthetically favoring short identifiers and minimal whitespace to create high semantic density. Eschew comments.

4 comments

nuclearnice3

Reply
gipp  2 years ago

You know how when you first start learning to code, the kids who really "get it" right away start off thinking shorter code = smarter code = better code?

k always seemed like a bunch of those kids managed to become highly accomplished and brilliant engineers without ever breaking that terrible habit. Is there actually a reason to write these array languages (and interpreters for them, apparently) this way, or is it just a cultural difference?

  • lmm  2 years ago

    > k always seemed like a bunch of those kids managed to become highly accomplished and brilliant engineers without ever breaking that terrible habit. Is there actually a reason to write these array languages (and interpreters for them, apparently) this way, or is it just a cultural difference?

    They're more readable and less buggy that way. But unfortunately most programmers would rather spend 10 days reading 100,000 lines than 4 days reading 1,000 lines.