http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=442567


in reply to Re: Beautiful Perl
in thread Beautiful Perl

That's an interesting question, but first, what are the basic elements of Perl? The functions? The datatypes? The contexts? Control structures? If so, that's a tremendous amount of variability that could give rise to any number of "Euler equations".

It seems unlikely to me that you could come up with a single comprehensive expression of the internal cohesiveness of a programming language. I think you'd either have to reduce it's components to more basic notions (for example, thinking of Perl's datastructures as variations of the list datatype), or generate some higher level principles using Perl. Notice that the elements of math that Euler was relating were precisely defined ideas expressed within the language of mathematics, not the language of mathematics itself, if that makes any sense.


"The dead do not recognize context" -- Kai, Lexx

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^3: Beautiful Perl
by japhy (Canon) on Mar 27, 2005 at 03:07 UTC
    I agree with your final statement there. The prospect of coming up with such a singular Perl statement is certainly a confusing and subjective one, but it would be interesting to see people produce comprehensive code and explain its beauty and significance.

    I think Perl's regex ease-of-use allows for its abuse, and in turn, some truly powerful and awesome and beautiful code, such as Abigail's prime number regex.

    _____________________________________________________
    Jeff japhy Pinyan, P.L., P.M., P.O.D, X.S.: Perl, regex, and perl hacker
    How can we ever be the sold short or the cheated, we who for every service have long ago been overpaid? ~~ Meister Eckhart