Re: Theodore Adorno, a prophet of data systems design
From: Willem (willem_at_stack.nl)
Date: 01/10/04
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Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 21:51:42 +0000 (UTC)
Edward wrote:
) You determine the set of elements over which the program iterates,
) and, you determine that it has defined behavior for zero members.
) Then, you prove the conditional statement "for all n, if the behavior
) applies for input of length n then it applies to input of length n+1"
That is *not* how you prove program correctness. It's not even close.
) For example, you've described the C for loop as more "powerful" than
) the VB For loop DESPITE the fact that informal proofs are simpler for
) any for loop which copies the limit into a work area or stack and
) keeps it constant.
That's false also. Proofs are actually easier for the C syntax of for
loops. For the Basic semantics, you need an extra step (which technically
converts it into C semantics).
) It's a waste of time for me to wade through toxic sludge to get at the
) occasional insight, and frankly, if this newsgroup did not committ the
) REAL sin of Sodom and Gonnoreah, discourtesy by default to strangers,
) more useful content would be generated by simple courtesy towards new
) posters.
The person in this newsgroup who has shown the most discourtesy
_by default_ is *you*. The reason that people are discourteous *to* you is
that you have given them ample reason.
) We've read the charter, and it doesn't support your reading of the
) charter. You claim with respect to CONNECTING political and social
) phenomena that such CONNECTION is off topic but this shows that your
) "relevance engine" is flawed.
A lot of your comments have nothing to do with programming whatsoever.
) The charter actually directs your hobby-horses to subsidiary
) newsgroups, the charter explicitly states this is a default group, and
) the charter does not explicitly ban political and social discussion
) that connects the discussion with technical matters and the human
) activity of programming.
The charter does not explicitly ban discussing the best way to meet women
either, which is a topic of very much interest to many programmers (if we
believe the stereotypes). Are you saying that it is on topic for me to
give advice on that topic in this newsgroup ?
) Dijkstra never believed in "beautiful" code and instead thought of
) applied mathematics as sado-masochistic; he refers to "cruelty" more
) than once. David Gerlenter, the reputable compscientist attacked by
) the Unabomber, doesn't like computers.
So ? I don't like computers either. Hate the damn things, to be exact.
But I still believe in beautiful, elegant code. And last I spoke with
Dijkstra, he did too. (That was over ten years ago, granted, but still.)
SaSW, Willem
--
Disclaimer: I am in no way responsible for any of the statements
made in the above text. For all I know I might be
drugged or something..
No I'm not paranoid. You all think I'm paranoid, don't you !
#EOT
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