I think Lisp is the ideal enviroment for rapid prototyping: even better than Python. One example is that you can modify your code on-the-fly while running it; there is no better debugging tool.
Consider the following rectangle class [you can type "lisp" on pcdh91 and …
Programming languages suitable for rapid prototyping or why I prefer Lisp and Python to Java.
I think one of the essential needs in programming is the ability to create fast prototypes, to test ideas, to throw some of them, and retain the good ones. Java is not good at this …
A danger of machinable software engineering factory: average style of programming.
The problem with software engineering methodologies is that they often promote a kind of "average" style of programming, often leading to mediocrity, or even worse, unnecessary overbloatedness. My favourite quote illustrating this problem comes from an excellent book by …
Is programming more like an engineering or it is more like an art?
I just came across a recent interview of Richard Gabriel for java.sun.com where he precisely pushes against considering programming as a sole engineering activity, underlines the role of creativeness and diversity and makes parallels between …
What role does a programming language play in the mind of the programmer?
Michael Vanier writes:
Writing Java code, though not particulary painful in the sense that C is painful (core dumps etc.), puts me to sleep. Writing Ocaml (which is a "language designed for smart …