Xah Programing Blog Archive 2017-06
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programers and docs
- remember, there is no lang that has rigorous math-like doc or spec. None.
- in programing, if you spend 1 min with good doc, you spend 1 hour without, or even 10. When there is no doc, 10 days.
- but then why programing community don't appreciate or have good doc? because
- (1) the nature of code, changes all the time. Docs usually don't keep up.
- (2) it's hard to convert how-to (aka algorithm) into what-is (aka math), the latter is math style doc/spec.
- (3) doc in software are literally useless, in some sense. It adds nothing to the software behavior.
- (4) programers don't know how to write well.
there's no lang in practical use that has rigorous math-like doc or spec
been reading math 2 hours a day in past months. what a joy. In contrast of reading programing doc n lang specs. Programers are such idiots.
programers don't appreciate good docs. n they have this nasty concept of “grok” (from unix fkheads), n in a flash they'll tell you to dig the source code.
there's no lang in practical use that has rigorous math-like doc or spec. #Haskell? #Ocamel? lol, they've the worst “grok it” doc and spec.
yet the haskell fkheads's like, “algebraic” data structure and monoid and suff. Each one sounds like superior mathematicians. Monad ya ass.
homotopy, a continuous function between 2 functions. How can such topology, differential geometry notion, be tied to logic, set theory, foundation of math? that's the story of homotopy type theory. Absolutely fascinating.
programers and math jargons
#math if you haven't studied group theory before, do so now. Wikipedia article is very good.
[ Group theory ] [ 2017-10-02 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_theory ]
after Wikipedia #math group, read Discontinuous Groups of Rotation and Translation in the Plane
when programers use math jargons, they dunno which side is ass, which is mouth. #haskell #lisp
if a programer mention idempotent monad directed graph, n they can't talk basic abstract algebra, tell them 2 shut piehole #haskell #lisp
programers talking garbage math jargon happens, from 1990s perl and sql to 2000 lisper homoiconicity to today js haskell category idiots.
programers and mathematicians are very distinct communities. The 2 basically don't communicate, not unlike engineers and lawyers.
mathematicians, in general look down on programing. They dunno what's a subroutine, function, object, class.
programers, usually lookup and idolize math, yet, have 0 clue. you wouldn't have a clue of math unless you had 3 years worth of undergraduate MATH MAJOR.
now n then we see hacker idiots discuss how important is math to programing. that's, like, guys in bar on the tao of quantum cosmos.
xah lee, schizoid
- 1, due to my public website since 1995, i've talked to lots people, coders, geeks, and many weird people. (same ilk attract)
- 2, Usually, they know me, but i don't know/remember people. (plus, they are often anonymous)
- 3, It has happened quite a few times, in argument about coding or other, something ticked me off, and my screed turned supporters/fans to stone.
- 4, am a schizoid. That basically means, loners, or, people with very little emotion. Any attachment, relationship, trouble us greatly.
Google Doodle? Never click it
you see those Google Doodle? Never, ever, click it or read about it. If you do, your brain is tainted. This is similar to never watch TV.
Google Doodle was fun in 2000s. It's casual, non-intentional. Today, it's commercialization plus propaganda.
in September, i'll be blogging on my patreon account only.
https://www.patreon.com/xahlee
If you like my stuff, i hope you patreon me there.
to my patreon supporters, new article https://www.patreon.com/posts/13809835
golang's choice of tab for indentation
golang's choice of tab for indentation is the correct one. However, emacs golang mode forcing it to be DISPLAYED as 8 spaces, is the most idiotic. It undo the correct thinking.
See also: Tab vs Space in Source Code
golang is superb
golang is truly a simple superb practical language. + Real functional programing features. And fast! Puts clojure haskell in shame.
despite my supreme love for functional programing, i'd say, clojure is a complex idiocy, on so many levels. And Haskell too.
my golang tutorial is coming in shape.
See also: Clojure Tutorial
See also: Practical git in 1 Hour
programer hieroglyph
[see Egyptian Hieroglyph 𓂀]
be my first patreon
now i have a patreon account. be my first patreon. see first post at https://www.patreon.com/xahlee
Java: Unicode in Source Code (minor update)
drawing a maze with Unicode. Unicode: Box Art ░ ▒ ▓
JavaScript TypeScript Syntax Algebra by Sigil
Jargon Lambda in Decline (expanded for the general public.)
Western Propaganda on Chinese Nushu Script
Unicode 10 is released last week.
[see Unicode 10 New Characters (2017)]
New, is the oblete Nushu script, used in China, created and used by women.
On researching this writing system, you find an article from Gardian published in 2005. The page is gone, but here's screenshot from WayBackMachine.
Note, the word used: forbidden, women, minority, forced arranged marriage.
You see, Guardian spins it so that the now obsolete script appears to be related to suppression and Western gender issues.
Almost all English language news about Chinese are of this nature. They sell what you want to hear, American liberal or conservative. Pretty much, it's about how China doesn't have democracy, that Chinese people want it, and human rights abuse, that it's ancient civilization struggling with modernity, such and such. All very easy to take in and sympathize!
writing system design and culture
When you study world's scripts (writing systems), at first it's fascinating, because it's novel, and you are introduced to many aspects of designing a writing system. But after a while, you find most of them boring, dreary, idiotic. Basically, Random symbols derived from scribbles. There's no math/logic/design/architect value, but just cultural histories.
if you are interested in anthropology or ethnology, then it's a different story.
if you are interested in design/architecture aspect of writing systems, you look up to scifi, math, logic, communication theory, or perhaps neuroscience.
Billionaire Peter Thiel's startup book: Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future Buy at amazon
