>>119Here. I'll say it with bullet points.
- Python's syntax varies between explicit and concise to a confusing degree, despite claims by Python that the syntax is clean/beautiful/etc.
- Python brings very little new to the table over other languages, and so advertises its syntax as a key point of the language
- Therefore, criticisms of Python's choice of syntax are valid as criticisms of the language.
- Since syntax is one of the first elements encountered by someone who examines Python, and since Python
doesn't really bring anything new to the table as a language, it is perfectly reasonable to arrive at the conclusion that ``Python really isn't a very good language'', as this trivial complaint outweighs the even more trivial benefits.
It is not true to say that our
only complaints against the language are about its syntax, but frankly, I don't care. You want me to talk about design choices like Guido's (thankfully canceled) desire to remove lambdas because he doesn't like the way they make code look? Tough. I don't feel like it. My point has already been made.
To put it another way, apply your argument to criticisms of PHP, Java, C, Haskell, Brainfuck, you name it. ``[I]f your only complaints against a language are about poor error handling/SingletonFactories/segfaults/burritos/verbosity, you have absolutely no business criticizing it or engaging in discussion about its design.''
If you ask me why PHP is bad, I'll say ``It has poor error handling.''. That's it. The language offers nothing to me that is not outweighed by poor error handling. Maybe if I'm feeling generous, I'll post a link to the Fractal of Bad Design blog. It is possible that I'm a moron, that PHP is the best language in the universe, and that poor error handling is irrelevant compared to other amazing things PHP can do. That is a calculated risk I've taken in deciding that my time is better spent by ignoring PHP than by trying to better understand its design in the hopes of learning something wonderful.
If you look at
>>95 , the question was ``Why do you hate Python?''.
I don't use Python because of the shitty syntax and FIOC. I don't use PHP because of the poor error handling. There - the question is answered. If you feel like carefully analyzing deeper flaws in Python, then do so. Maybe we'll link to your blog the next time somebody asks that question.
Finally, I'm sick of your unedited posts. Go read a manual of style until you can contribute meaningfully, as I won't be wasting any more time on them.