Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and frameworks?

Re:Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and f... by debacle on Wednesday December 05, 2012 @08:49AM (#4876192)

I agree that this can be frustrating. One of the great benefits of programming languages is that, even though I don't know VisualBasic, for example, I can probably look at the code and know what values the variables represent.

It's very difficult to jump into a new mathematical structure, because very often you have to learn the lexicon from scratch.

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Re:Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and f... by rfergie on Wednesday December 05, 2012 @09:55AM (#4876471)

I'd say that is because when you see a structure you already understand written in a new language (e.g. VB) yu can use your existing mental model.

But when you meet an entirely new structure, as you say, you are starting from scratch.

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Re:Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and f... by debacle on Wednesday December 05, 2012 @01:20PM (#4877652)

It's not about the structure. It's about the sigils. I have no idea what Xi means in the context that it's used, but if it's named in English it's very easy to understand.

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