[Semi OT] The programming language wars

[Paulo Pinto via Digitalmars-d]

On Friday, 20 March 2015 at 07:14:58 UTC, Walter Bright wrote:
> On 3/19/2015 10:46 PM, deadalnix wrote:
>> I let this here. Very interesting and relevant to anyone here.
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZ-QSLQIB8
>
> It's nearly an hour long. Got a TL;DW ?

Language features should be tested with real users using 
scientific validation processes, instead of being blindly added 
to a language.

This means using tests groups with different types of 
backgrounds, applying the features in several situations, 
devising specific set of measurable targets and applying the 
whole statistic analysis to the results.

For example, instead of having an online forum which syntax would 
be desired for the new feature X, have the whole set of options 
implemented and see which of them achieves better results with 
the respective study groups.

An example that stuck with me was that languages that follow 
Algol/Pascal syntax lead themselves to less bugs, than those that 
follow C like syntax.

There are quite a few other examples. Also the mention that as 
far as the researcher is aware, only Microsoft is pursuing such 
studies for language features. Don Syme is in the audience and 
gives an example how they did it for .NET generics.

--
Paulo