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uman · Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:57 AM

I disagree because a programming language is not a tool for thinking. If you're using a programming language as a tool for thinking, you're using the wrong tool.

A programming language is a language in which instructions for a computer to execute are written. Nothing more, nothing less.

By Mr. Graham's definition, English, French, Spanish and Swahili are all programming languages, as you can use them to think in and express thoughts. You can, to a very limited extent do the same thing in a programming language, but that's certainly not the definition.

If for whatever reason I haven't completely convinced you of Paul Graham's tort, I invite you to debate me further on the subject.

Jun 23rd, 2006, 12:57 AM	#56
uman Expert Programmer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 794 Rep Power: 4	I disagree because a programming language is not a tool for thinking. If you're using a programming language as a tool for thinking, you're using the wrong tool. A programming language is a language in which instructions for a computer to execute are written. Nothing more, nothing less. By Mr. Graham's definition, English, French, Spanish and Swahili are all programming languages, as you can use them to think in and express thoughts. You can, to a very limited extent do the same thing in a programming language, but that's certainly not the definition. If for whatever reason I haven't completely convinced you of Paul Graham's tort, I invite you to debate me further on the subject. __________________ Few people deserve to be compared to (Rush) Limbaugh, most of them were convicted at the Nuremburg trials. --WilliamSChips on Slashdot Last edited by uman; Jun 23rd, 2006 at 1:26 AM. Reason: typo