Re:Array Languages vs. the Curse of the Spreadsheet
by dspillett on Tuesday March 05, 2024 @06:47PM
(#39610564)
> It's like saying in JavaScript the "const" -keyword is distracting
Though like you can optionally use const (for varying degres of optional depending on your local coding style rules), you can optionally highlight formulas using conditional formatting based on the ISFORMULA() function.
It does seem like something that makes sense to be a built-in though.
Re:Array Languages vs. the Curse of the Spreadsheet
by layer8 on Tuesday March 05, 2024 @06:37PM
(#39610483)
You’re arguing from a programmer’s perspective. Most spreadsheet users don’t think that way. The data and what it says is in the front of their mind, and is what primarily interests them about the spreadsheet, not the “coding” of the spreadsheet. The formulas are merely a means to get the data displayed they want to see.
I don't agree with that. It's like saying in JavaScript the "const" -keyword is distracting because it creates a distinction between values that are constant and values that change during running the program.
The spreadsheet-app might have a "publish-mode" where the distinction between inputs and formulas is hidden but in general it helps that user can easily distinguish between between inputs and procedures.
Distinction does not imply distraction.
What is often distracting is the need to spend mental effort to make a distinction, to try to understand a spreadsheet.
You might as well say that gaslighting in general reduces distraction, because there are fewer distinctions you can make in the gas-light.