Ask HN: Can someone explain to me why all languages don't try to have the same syntax?

Re:Ask HN: Can someone explain to me why all languages don't... by aaronblohowiak on Sunday December 21, 2008 @10:28PM (#406030)

Same syntax, different semantics.. that does not sound easier to me. At all.

Also, why don't we all just use one operating system for everything, have one kind of coffee, and eat one perfectly balanced meal all the time?

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Re:Ask HN: Can someone explain to me why all languages don't... by jd on Sunday December 21, 2008 @10:56PM (#406046)

It seems you're disagreeing with a statement I never made.

The question was "If they did have the same syntax, would they be different languages?"

I replied: "Yes, they would be different because their semantics would be different"

I never said it would be a good thing. And by stretching your analogy to the territory of food it only becomes weaker (with food diversity is a goal by itself). Also it can be argued that using the same operating system for the vast majority of tasks is desirable.

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Re:Ask HN: Can someone explain to me why all languages don't... by aaronblohowiak on Sunday December 21, 2008 @11:47PM (#406090)

I don't think I disagreed with you.

I wanted to a) show how "one true syntax" would in itself be challenging and b) explain the utility that diversity has by analogy.

I agree that for most tasks, using a POSIX compliant unix-like system will suffice, but that's as much ground as I'm willing to concede on that point (for now ;)

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