Oh well, I guess that this thread had to go this direction :-) What we need is a language that dynamically adapts to the programmer. A compiler for this language could recognize not only valid syntax in the language, but also detect unskilled programmers and automatically limit their access to some (or all ;-) features. Using advanced heuristics, in some cases the compiler would just write messages like:
"Sorry, you are an idiot. Compilation aborted." Many programmers, being sadists, would actually enjoy being explicitly abused by their compiler, so I would expect such a language to be very popular. Compiler plugins might be added that would do things like exploit social networks to engineer personal attacks against the programmer. Of course, in some cases, code can be well written but based on insane requirements. In such cases, the compiler might launch attacks on the architects or management. Kirk Wolf On Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 2:16 PM, McKown, John <john.mck...@healthmarkets.com>wrote: > The worst was one I heard about from a friend. In the days of punched > cards. The programmer literally would write code: > > A100. > ADD +1 TO A. SUBTRACT B FROM C GIVING D. PERFORM A200. ADD +500 TO > ANOTHER-VARIABLE. PERFORM B300. > > She said it was hell to repunch the cards. But the programmer insisted > that "COBOL should read like a novel!" The programmer also felt that > COMPUTE was a tool of the devil. > > -- > John McKown > Systems Engineer IV > IT > > Administrative Services Group > > HealthMarkets(r) > > 9151 Boulevard 26 * N. Richland Hills * TX 76010 > (817) 255-3225 phone * > john.mck...@healthmarkets.com * www.HealthMarkets.com > > Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message may contain confidential or > proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please > contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original > message. HealthMarkets(r) is the brand name for products underwritten and > issued by the insurance subsidiaries of HealthMarkets, Inc. -The Chesapeake > Life Insurance Company(r), Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of > TennesseeSM and The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company.SM > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List > > [mailto:IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Turriff, Leslie > > Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 2:08 PM > > To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu > > Subject: Re: SLightly O/T Perl > > > > I suspect that the COBOL code you're referring to was > > crippled by poorly-chosen identifiers. Even the most > > readable language can be made inscrutable by (im)prudent > > choice of variable names. :-) > > > > Leslie Turriff > > State of Missouri > > Information Technology Services Division > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List > > [mailto:IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of McKown, John > > Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 13:53 > > To: IBM-MAIN@bama.ua.edu > > Subject: Re: SLightly O/T Perl > > > > It's better than APL. And depends on the coder not using > > weird idioms. I've seen COBOL which is incomprehensible. > > IIRC, COBOL was supposedly designed so that an English > > speaking army private could write "clean" code. Which simply > > proves that programmers can't speak English (properly). > > > > -- > > John McKown > > Systems Engineer IV > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > > send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO > > Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > > send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO > > Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO > Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@bama.ua.edu with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
