Comment by scott_w
3 months ago
I literally just described my process, so I don’t get how you got to “you don’t know how you know” because… well… I just told you.
Also, there’s a huge difference between beginners not understanding 0-based indexing and experienced C++ engineers describing the challenges understanding Rust’s unique features. I mean, Jesus Christ, we’re commenting on a thread here of experienced engineers commenting on how challenging it can be! I really don’t know what else to say.
> Also, there’s a huge difference between beginners not understanding 0-based indexing and experienced C++ engineers describing the challenges understanding Rust’s unique features
Keep in mind I wasn't new to programming at that point. I was programming in C64 basic for 3 years and Pascal for 3 as well. For hobby of course, and not fully.
Zero indexes aren't simple, they are intertwined everywhere but they are easy - as in familiar.
What experienced C++ devs in Rust are not much different than experienced Pascal devs in C. Lost. And having to rethread semi-familiar grounds.
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And I described you my own. I don't fight the borrow checker. I just intuitively know how it works and what to avoid.
If you think just subtracting one or adding one is enough, there should be an easy enough way to test if it is. In Veritasium video they mention that having glasses that turn your vision upside down will cause confusion at first, but you will get used to them quickly.
What you could do is take a language that has arbitrary starting index value and set it to something weird. Like 42 or -5. Then rewrite your programs. See how many off by 41 errors you make. Then once you no longer make mistakes with it. Go back to 0 indexes.
> What you could do is take a language that has arbitrary starting index value and set it to something weird. Like 42 or -5. Then rewrite your programs. See how many off by 41 errors you make. Then once you no longer make mistakes with it. Go back to 0 indexes.
Do you need me to comment on the difference between 0 and 42?
No.
But you need to see with eyes of a newbie. I mean what is the problem here, you did say it's just adding or subtracting a number whether it's 0, 1, -1 or 42? Should be trivial, right?
My guess while the change of indices is simple (altering ranges by a constant), it's going to be hard (requiring constant mental effort until it's internalized).
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