Re:People who disagree aren't trying to make things complex
by btilly on Tuesday December 11, 2018 @09:00PM
(#18660762)
That is an excellent link to read through, and the code is an excellent description.
There is an inherent complexity to a compiler. That example had only that. There are standard names for things in C. That example had only that. In all fields, internalizing compact names improves how much an expert can think and makes it impenetrable to beginners. (Math is particularly good at supplying examples.) That program used compact variable names that are standard enough in C to be instantly recognizable, but come as a shock to someone who hasn't internalized them.
The result is a compressed version of exactly what an experienced compiler programmer has already internalized. And is utterly impenetrable to anyone who hasn't internalized the concepts that they need.
There is an inherent complexity to a compiler. That example had only that. There are standard names for things in C. That example had only that. In all fields, internalizing compact names improves how much an expert can think and makes it impenetrable to beginners. (Math is particularly good at supplying examples.) That program used compact variable names that are standard enough in C to be instantly recognizable, but come as a shock to someone who hasn't internalized them.
The result is a compressed version of exactly what an experienced compiler programmer has already internalized. And is utterly impenetrable to anyone who hasn't internalized the concepts that they need.