> > >> And, what is going on in the heads of programmers who >> enjoy commenting that is different than in the heads of >> programmers who do not? > >My conjecture is that the main difference here is the programmer's facility >with abstraction. It goes like this: A more concrete programmer >thinks what's >real is the code -- the code is all there is. A more abstract programmer >thinks what's real is the abstraction (which he might capture in a >comment, for >himself and other like-minded programmers), and views the code as an almost >arbitrary implementation of the abstraction.
I don't know. I would like to see an example of what you consider a useful comment within the code. Would you say an abstract programmer is one who completes the design stage before starting to code? I don't consider myself "concrete," but coding helps me think about a problem. I would rather start with only an approximate design and re-factor often (this is recommended in "extreme programming," by the way). The ideal of thinking everything out during the design phase, then handing it over to a "mere programmer" for coding, is not embraced by everyone anymore. Maybe that ideal is what you refer to as "abstract," as opposed to the "concrete" approach of thinking in code. pc > >Regarding the pointless comments adduced by P. Chase: My theory would say >those are written by programmers who are more concrete but have been >indoctrinated to write comments anyway. > > >- Automatic footer for [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe discuss >To join the announcements list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe announce >To receive a help file, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] help >This list is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/ >If you have any problems or questions, please mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Automatic footer for [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe discuss To join the announcements list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe announce To receive a help file, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] help This list is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/ If you have any problems or questions, please mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
