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Re:Learn more programming languages, even if you won't use them by shstalwart on Sunday April 14, 2019 @04:12AM (#19658157)
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then. I too have coded up a lot algorithms from academic papers. In my mind,

yk = C * xk + D * uk

is a lot clearer than

position_at_time_k = output_matrix * state_at_time_k + feedthrough_matrix * input_at_time_k.

The first is an idiom. The second is not.

Re:Learn more programming languages, even if you won't use them by FakeComments on Sunday April 14, 2019 @05:36AM (#19658394)
That may make sense internal to a library, where you’ve established idioms.

But as a counterpoint, I only know what you meant by the first expression because I read the second expression.

I actually agree with you in large part, that short variable names can have more meaning within an established set of idioms because they allow you to parse whole statements at once. But there’s a trade-off involved, because mathematics can take symbology further than that’s useful.

For example:

    E[i=0;5](i**2)

    sum([i**2 for i in range(0,5)])
So it often comes down to a matter of taste.
Re:Learn more programming languages, even if you won't use them by jononor on Tuesday April 16, 2019 @06:37AM (#19672478)
Why not something like this?

    position = C * state + D * input
Reasoning: k is the only subscript, so it can be dropped. Meaning of C and D are implicitly defined through their function wrt to state and input, so its OK not to name them. It also keeps the structure visible similar to that of the math.