Re:Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and f...
by impendia on Wednesday December 05, 2012 @07:57AM
(#4876017)
It only assumes that single characters are desirable variable names. Especially if (as in Lisp) one does not draw a conceptual distinction between variables and functions, it is common to see multi-letter variable names.
Here is a typical example of a modern research paper:
Most variables are one letter, but notice, e.g., GL in the fifth line (the General Linear group, not G times L), ker in the seventh, etc.
One reason for brevity is that we like to write on paper and/or the chalkboard.
And to answer your last question, I think math does concern itself with readability. Many mathematicians are obsessive about making sure that their work is as readable as possible, although unfortunately this is not universal.
Here is a typical example of a modern research paper:
http://math.stanford.edu/~conrad/papers/locchar.pdf
Most variables are one letter, but notice, e.g., GL in the fifth line (the General Linear group, not G times L), ker in the seventh, etc.
One reason for brevity is that we like to write on paper and/or the chalkboard.
And to answer your last question, I think math does concern itself with readability. Many mathematicians are obsessive about making sure that their work is as readable as possible, although unfortunately this is not universal.