Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

You seem to assume that there is One True Way of doing things and we're just circling round trying to find it. In fact, as you point out, there are benefits and tradeoffs to every approach. People compile interpreted languages to make them run faster, but are using them in the first place because they're easier to use. People who have come to compiled languages for speed are now naturally looking to make them easier to develop with as well.

Compiled C is not going to go away any sooner than interpreted Javascript - but a widening of the options available is great as it allows us to focus on developing things quickly and correctly, rather than making decisions based on which particular annoyance you're happy to put up with.



People try to move CS both towards and away from engineering: We want the dependability engineering seems to provide in, say, Civil Engineering, but we don't want to acknowledge that engineering is about trade-offs, which are compromises, and that the nature of those trade-offs changes as the world surrounding a specific tool or program changes.

Maybe they think there is a One True Way. Maybe they think every building needs to be reinforced concrete and structural steel, now and forever, in every possible context.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: