Terse versus Verbose?

Hi Folks,

Question #1: Which of the following is easiest to read and quickly grasp what it's saying?

(a) 2 + 3
(b) two plus three
(c) <expression>
         <left_operand>2</left_operand>
        <operator>+</operator>
        <right_operand>3</right_operand>
     </expression>

Answer #1: Clearly (a) is easiest to read and quickly grasp what it's saying.


Question #2: Of the above forms, which is quickest, easiest, and cheapest to implement an evaluator?

Answer #2: Clearly (c) is quickest, easiest, and cheapest to implement an evaluator.


Question #3: Suppose an evaluator is implemented for each of the above forms. Which evaluator runs fastest?

Answer #3: Likely they all run at roughly the same speed.


Question #4: Which of the following is more expensive and whose expense rises yearly?

(d) Human
(e) Machine

Answer #4: Clearly (d) is more expensive and whose expense rises yearly.


Question #5: How often would we need to incur the expense of implementing an evaluator?

Answer #5: Implementing an evaluator is a one-time investment.


Question #6: How often would we need to incur the expense of reading and understanding an expression?

Answer #6: The expense of reading and understanding is large and grows larger over time.


Conclusion: Write terse, easy-to-read, easy-to-grasp expressions.

Do you agree?

/Roger