Re: misconceptions on computer science

From: Ronald E Jeffries (ronjeffries_at_acm.org)
Date: 08/14/04 

Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 10:30:31 -0400

On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 14:40:49 GMT, "Shayne Wissler"
<thalesNOSPAM000@yahoo.com> wrote:

>"Robert C. Martin" <unclebob@objectmentor.com> wrote in message
>news:2ngoh01mpjimttm65bqf353ck6ugsdm3db@4ax.com...
>> On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 14:23:52 GMT, "Shayne Wissler"
>> <thalesNOSPAM000@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> >I'm talking to an XPer, someone who has no compunction about jumping in
>and
>> >coding before understanding the problem.
>>
>> Even in a purely philosophical discussion, you can't resist the ad
>> hominem.
>
>It's surprising that you'd consider a description of XP practice as ad
>hominem.

XP does not recommend having no compunction about jumping in and
coding before understanding the problem. Yet you characterized him as
a) an XPer, and b) having no compunctions.

You're right, it's a much richer fallacy than just ad hominem. It
insults the individual, links the unsupported insult back to the
general topic of XP, and diverts the discussion from a topic of
interest to one of personalities and logic.

You're really good at what you do. 

-- 
Ron Jeffries
www.XProgramming.com
I'm giving the best advice I have. You get to decide if it's true for you.