[Semi OT] The programming language wars

[Laeeth Isharc via Digitalmars-d]

On Friday, 20 March 2015 at 07:37:04 UTC, Paulo  Pinto wrote:
> Language features should be tested with real users using 
> scientific validation processes, instead of being blindly added 
> to a language.

There is nothing intrinsically more scientific about basing a 
decision on a study rather than experience and judgement 
(including aesthetic judgement), which is not to say that more 
data cannot be useful, if thoughtfully considered.  The problem 
is that people tend to emphasize tangible hard data over 
sometimes more important but less easy to measure factors - the 
drunk looking for his keys under the lamppost 'because that is 
where the light is'.

So one must be careful to avoid being dazzled by shiny 
'scientific' approaches when their value remains yet to be proven.


Laeeth.