Quote by Knuth

[lisa-asket@perso.be]

From: Emanuel Berg via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor <help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>
To: help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org
Subject: Re: Quote by Knuth
Date: 19/07/2021 00:14:18 Europe/Paris

Christopher Dimech wrote:

>> Literate programming is an enhanced macro substitution
>> package tuned to the task of rearranging source code.

>We know what a macro is but what is literate programming
>except it relies on macros? Does it rely to macros MORE than
>everyday programming, including programming that uses macros,
>or are the macros CLOSER to natural languages, maybe?



Not about the reliance of macros.  But essentially it is about rearranging

programs in a way that is more logical to human beings.  At the expense 

of making it harder for those who want to change it.



>If it has a name (literate programming) there should be
>a snappy definition, otherwise I'll stick to illiterate
>programming, thank you...



That was my point, stick to illiterate programming.



>> but in fact is quite different from other ways of
>> structuring software systems.

>Uhm, okay, what ways are those?



Ways to condense complicated programs, particularly those using parallel

or concurrent techniques.  The focus should be more on the analysis of algorithms

rather than literate programming.  Literate programming evolved from Knuth's

experience with tex, ideas based on pretty display.


>> Literacy in programming means different things in different
>> circumstances. Many jobs are about getting a job done,
>> rather than showing literacy, except in academia, mostly
> written by young inexperienced idiots on low pay or no pay
>>> at all.

>What are you talking about?



Nobody was ever interested in literate programming when on commission to do

mathematical work.  People simply wanted an implementation for a specific task,

or to challenge competitors. With a special focus on keeping the word under the 

secrets act.



>> A mathematician in industry can do as much literate
>> programming as one wants but is not considered valuable
>> work. When a company takes over another, they mostly trash
>> the other system and use their own way. That's what happened
>> to me a number of times.

It was a criticism about literate programming in industry.  Many workplaces are

simply not interested in that.  But they are interested in making things to go faster,

or for algorithms to be improved.  From your previous discussions we seem to agree.


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