Rolf wrote:
> I guess the implication is that some programmers are able to make the
> code 'sing'. Some architechts are able to produce buildings that have
> expression. Some artists are able to convey part of theiur soul in their
> work. I believe programming is one (of many) possible ways to express
> oneself.

Brooks said a programmer is like a poet, or like a child making a mud pie. 
:)

http://grok2.tripod.com/progfun.html

> OK, perhaps that sounds over the top, but, on the other hand, I work
> with a dozen other people quite closely, and, I bet I could identify the
> programmer of some code by looking at a peice of code... Further,
> looking at code you can tell a programmer with patience, forethought,
> and 'flair'.

It sounds like you consider Perl and Java "good" languages, because like 
Linux, they're "particular who they're friends with".

I agree with Bob that every tool has its niche. And I strongly believe that 
making code more readable is a goal worth pursuing, and most of the time it 
costs no extra effort (in fact, often it saves the original programmer a lot 
of effort). I don't really have a problem with Python's forced indentation 
rules. Are you opposed to it solely on the grounds that you cannot tell 
right away whether the code was written by a sloppy and average, or a 
careful and patient programmer?

> How about a handwriting expert.... they can determine a lot about the
> person based on their handwriting. The same could be said about code.
> Perl is a language that allows for embellished writing.

Mainstream science puts "handwriting expert" in the same category with 
"astrologist".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology#Validity

> There are languages out there that require 'courier - fixed-width' type
> handwriting, and, with that it is harder to be expressive. Like a
> painter who can only paint with black and yellow!

"Form is liberating." This is the reason we have coding style guides --  
right?

Vitaliy 

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