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0 pointscutler5y ago0 comments

Whatever happened to the neophyte raising him/herself up to level of the master? Programming seems to be the only profession in which the beginner is excused learning the language thoroughly and, worse, that he/she expects the language to be dumbed down to make it easier to learn. Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"? If you want to grok Perl learn Perl ... thoroughly.

0 comments

geocar5y ago

> Programming seems to be the only profession in which the neophyte is excused learning the language thoroughly and, worse, that he/she expects the language to be dumbed down to make it easier to learn. Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"?

Yes. Yes I can[1]

[1]: https://how-to-play-electric-guitar.net/tab-symbols.html

The problem isn't merely that notation is easy/hard, but that people will not only pass judgement about a language (or any other idea), they will also work actively to convince others to agree with them, and oh yeah, that programmers are people too.

daotoad5y ago

> programmers are people too

Are we really?

viraptor5y ago

> Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"?

You mean like string instrument tab coloured by finger instead of sheet music? Yes, exactly like that.

sergeykish5y ago

Language is a tool for programmer.

Restrict scale to pentatonic even for professionals (remove physical keys, holes etc). They would absolutely mess up otherwise.

cutlerOP5y ago

But you would still have to master notation if you were to become an accomplished jazz musician, for example.

viraptor5y ago

Sure. The context is "dumbed down to make it easier to learn" not dumbed down and forced on everyone. If you want to go full Brian Eno, you can. (https://public-media.si-cdn.com/filer/2b/e0/2be067d0-c428-40...)

jodrellblank5y ago

> "Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"?"

Yes, of course I can: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_music_notation and from the linked website "is designed for learners in general".

> "worse, that he/she expects the language to be dumbed down to make it easier to learn."

And why should "simplify" have the connotation "dumbed down, for dumb people"? Everyone benefits from simpler things with fewer warts and fewer hazards.

xyproto5y ago

Perl is an old accordion.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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geocar5y ago

Yes. Yes I can[1]

[1]: https://how-to-play-electric-guitar.net/tab-symbols.html

daotoad5y ago

> programmers are people too

Are we really?

viraptor5y ago

> Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"?

You mean like string instrument tab coloured by finger instead of sheet music? Yes, exactly like that.

sergeykish5y ago

Language is a tool for programmer.

Restrict scale to pentatonic even for professionals (remove physical keys, holes etc). They would absolutely mess up otherwise.

cutlerOP5y ago

But you would still have to master notation if you were to become an accomplished jazz musician, for example.

viraptor5y ago

jodrellblank5y ago

> "Can you imagine a budding musician complaining that musical notation should be made "easier for beginners"?"

Yes, of course I can: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_music_notation and from the linked website "is designed for learners in general".

> "worse, that he/she expects the language to be dumbed down to make it easier to learn."

And why should "simplify" have the connotation "dumbed down, for dumb people"? Everyone benefits from simpler things with fewer warts and fewer hazards.

xyproto5y ago

Perl is an old accordion.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse