http://www.sodthis.com/podcast/?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Fri, 07 May 2010 09:41:10 +0000 Simon Marsden [Visitor] c249946@http://www.sodthis.com/b2evolution/ I despair!<br /> <br /> In the show you make the comment that APL requires special symbols and therefore is somehow unsuitable for computer programming.<br /> <br /> Why? Mathematics needs special symbols too, but they enable complex concepts to be described in a form that anyone versed in maths can understand. Surely you're not suggesting that mathematicians should have to write everything in ASCII?<br /> <br /> Yes - you have to learn APL. But it's not that hard, and it's worth it - it gives you a unique tool in your programming toolbox, great for agile programming and rapid prototyping.<br /> <br /> The APL solution to Craig Murphy's programming challenge is shocking in its brevity, but it's not hard for an APL programmer to understand it.<br /> <br /> Also, contrary to what you suggest in the show, it's really not hard to type APL on a modern computer. Many APL interpreters even have a symbol palette.<br /> <br /> In answer to the specific question raised in the show, modern APLs can interface to the outside world easily. For example, APLX includes interfaces to .NET, Java, Ruby, R, and SQL.<br /> <br /> Please take the time to find out about APL before dismissing it so casually. It's really cool.
In the show you make the comment that APL requires special symbols and therefore is somehow unsuitable for computer programming.

Why? Mathematics needs special symbols too, but they enable complex concepts to be described in a form that anyone versed in maths can understand. Surely you're not suggesting that mathematicians should have to write everything in ASCII?

Yes - you have to learn APL. But it's not that hard, and it's worth it - it gives you a unique tool in your programming toolbox, great for agile programming and rapid prototyping.

The APL solution to Craig Murphy's programming challenge is shocking in its brevity, but it's not hard for an APL programmer to understand it.

Also, contrary to what you suggest in the show, it's really not hard to type APL on a modern computer. Many APL interpreters even have a symbol palette.

In answer to the specific question raised in the show, modern APLs can interface to the outside world easily. For example, APLX includes interfaces to .NET, Java, Ruby, R, and SQL.

Please take the time to find out about APL before dismissing it so casually. It's really cool.]]> http://www.sodthis.com/podcast/2009/04/30/sod-this-4-now-with-100-less-swearing#c249946 Thu, 28 May 2009 13:39:09 +0000 MrTomahawk [Visitor] c249628@http://www.sodthis.com/b2evolution/ Any chance you could provide your podcast in a censored and un-censored version? I prefer the raw uncut version then the cleaned up type. I also think it would be interesting to see the difference of the two subscription numbers if there were truly was two feeds. My guess is the un-cut version would be more popular! http://www.sodthis.com/podcast/2009/04/30/sod-this-4-now-with-100-less-swearing#c249628 Fri, 01 May 2009 18:22:39 +0000 brian lindahl [Visitor] c249617@http://www.sodthis.com/b2evolution/ good for you. like the attitude. :) http://www.sodthis.com/podcast/2009/04/30/sod-this-4-now-with-100-less-swearing#c249617