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Is Perl Better Than a Randomly Generated Programming Language?

Posted by timothy on from the before-swine dept.

First time accepted submitter QuantumMist writes "Researchers from Southern Illinois University have published a paper comparing Perl to Quorum(PDF) (their own statistically informed programming language) and Randomo (a programming language whose syntax is partially randomly generated). From the paper: 'Perl users were unable to write programs more accurately than those using a language designed by chance.' Reactions have been enthusiastic, and the authors have responded."

8 of 538 comments (clear)

  1. Better? by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

    Better? How about we start with distinguishable?

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    1. Re:Better? by Chris+Burke · · Score: 5, Funny

      Indeed. This is the reason why the Obfuscated Perl Contest is run by the Department of Redundancy Department.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
  2. Trick question? by MrEricSir · · Score: 3, Funny

    I always thought Perl was a randomly generated programming language.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
    1. Re:Trick question? by PPH · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hence the name: Pathologically Eclectic Rubbish Lister.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
  3. Re:Next question by Halo1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    How does C++ fair?

    Farely average.

    --
    Donate free food here
  4. Re:Next question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    How does C++ fair? LOL

    #%@$&#@^UGSOWDYRO&F@#L(EGFGP*$TW

    This Script written in Perl computes the answer.

  5. Re:Quorum looks a lot like Pascal by jd · · Score: 3, Funny

    Fortran is interesting, theologically - it considers God to be real unless declared integer.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  6. Re:Next question by jd · · Score: 3, Funny

    I dunno. Since it's a comment on Perl, starting with a # would seem to be entirely accurate according to the syntax.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)