Re: [stack] Survey: Your impressions and thoughts about concatenative languages

Belated response below.

On Nov 26, 2007 1:02 PM, William Tanksley, Jr  wrote:
> I share many of your experiences, Joe. Good answers.
>
> Joe Bowbeer wrote:
> > > - My negative experiences with concatenative language have been ...
> > Trying to program in Joy.
>
> You might want to try out some of the other concatenative languages; I
> understand that Factor is gaining steam as a practical language in
> spite of its recent origin (and concatenative syntax).
>
> > > - I feel that for concatenative languages to gain more mainstream
> > > success will require ...
>
> > A major breakthrough in ease of programming, or the identification of
> > a lively niche where they provide great leverage.
>
> Either or both would be wonderful. What's your biggest annoyance in
> terms of "ease of programming"?
>

Despite the very simple conceptual basis of concatenative languages,
it takes a great deal of mental effort for me to transfer the familiar
task of programming (which I've done in a dozen or so languages) to
one of these languages.  I need to rewire some well-worn mental
connections as well as create a lot of new code scaffolding to make up
for important pieces that are missing.

I liken the current state of concatenative languages to roman
numerals.  Yes, we can do a lot with just I, V, and X, but...  I'd
rather use a language that has about 7 +/- 2 important keywords
instead of a language with only 2 keywords -- or a zillion.  It's
easier on my head.

--
Joe Bowbeer