I'm genuinely disappointed by the predictability of encountering negativity and criticism towards new programming languages, even when the cynics represent a small minority. My address is to those who tend to be critical, cynical, and skeptical. It particularly troubles me when individuals adopt an air of entitlement and phrase their questions as, "Why should I use this? Prove its value to me." I would like to propose that this approach runs counter to the hacker ethos, as it immediately puts such questions in a negative light. There are constructive and useful ways to inquire about new languages, but all too often, I witness people ridiculing and deriding the work that others have shared. If this were our reaction to every new (even experimental) endeavor within the hacker and broader community, we would miss out on exploring fascinating possibilities. Many, if not most, of the technologies we use today began as small kernels or mere experiments. Through the dedication of individuals or small groups of passionate people, they evolved into essential components of our technology stacks. So, while it's perfectly valid to inquire about the compelling features of a language or why one might choose to use it, there are ways to frame such questions without sounding cynical and derisive.
Strongly agree. The "Why should I use this?" posts piss me off to no end...
As someone who often learns by perusing both toy and production projects, almost any kind of code or language idea can be useful to me for learning, so I'm thankful for those projects.
Doesn't matter if it is production quality or experimental, or if the quality is good or bad. The funny thing is that HN has this meme about "the scientific process also being about negative results", but when it's software, people immediately treat it like a product, as if having more things in the world was a negative thing.
I will forever upvote those projects and star them on Github. And I am grown up enough to figure out by myself what they have to "offer".
Yes! It's like I should not play the piano, because I could get better music on Spotify. If I play, I play for fun. Also, if I were to make a program language, it would probably be for fun, and to learn. That is a good thing! Having a hobby and learning at the same time is worth so much.
I agree, and while I have gotten a few gentle inquiries about why one might choose this language, it’s mostly a self-criticism I’ve had. It’s one of those impulses that can drive me to achieve more than I might otherwise, but finding the balance is tricky.
Right. I get your perspective. It's important to aim for greater utility and purpose, but it's also crucial not to overdo it at all times, as it might result in a less enjoyable experience and potentially worse ergonomics. Personally, I find Cassette to be delightful. Keep up the exploration!
