Thomas Green wrote:
> 2) Derek M Jones wrote on 1/5/01 4:02 pm:
>
> > I am beginning to think that program understanding does not exist.
> > A program is a knowledge base that people learn. Complex ones are harder
> > to learn about than simpler ones, hence my interest in reducing complexity.
>
> I like the switch from understanding to learning. It de-emphasizes the idea
> of grasping the whole 'meaning' of a program, all at one go, and brings out
> a picture of incremental growth, with islands of understood parts and dark
> areas where the program is doing something that is still mysterious.
>
> You folk who do real programming, or at least associate with real
> programmers (unlike me), what is your view of this?
Well, I'm not sure what Derek means when he makes the statement:
I am beginning to think that program understanding does not exist.
since I don't see why we can't understand some programs. For example,
hands up those who call themselves C programmers who don't understand
this C program:
main()
{
printf("Hello world.\n");
}
(Those with their hands in the air: you're fired.)
Consequently, I have to assume that some interesting definition of
'understanding' is in use here. Perhaps if Derek could clarify what
he means by his growing belief that program understanding doesn't
exist, I'd be able to see what he's getting at.
--
Frank Wales [[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
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