Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#1

Post by revorad » Wed, Dec 16, 2009, 11:19 PM UTC

Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
paulgraham.com

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#2

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Dec 16, 2009, 11:56 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#3

Post by gord » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 12:14 AM UTC

It would be nice if psychologists would be honest and introspective enough to call their field an Art... at least until the appearance of a Hari Seldon.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#4

Post by 10ren » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 12:46 AM UTC

Is mathematics (theorem proving) an art?

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#5

Post by cool-RR » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 1:10 AM UTC

When I see articles like this that show a deep understanding on the present state and the future of programming, it makes me sad.

Because if these kinds of ideas were articulated 35 years ago, I'd expect that by now we would have progressed much more.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#6

Post by fburnaby » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 1:32 AM UTC

10ren wrote: post #4

Is mathematics (theorem proving) an art?

I like to think of it as Hofstadter suggests; theorem proving is mechanical, but there is a very beautiful art in selection of the axioms.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#7

Post by christopherolah » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 1:47 AM UTC

fburnaby wrote: post #6

10ren wrote: post #4

Is mathematics (theorem proving) an art?

I like to think of it as Hofstadter suggests; theorem proving is mechanical, but there is a very beautiful art in selection of the axioms.

>theorem proving is mechanical

I have to disagree. As theorems become more complicated, proving them becomes anything but mechanical: one must choose between an infinite variety of approaches, many of which are equally valid.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#8

Post by gruseom » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:15 AM UTC

fburnaby wrote: post #6

10ren wrote: post #4

Is mathematics (theorem proving) an art?

I like to think of it as Hofstadter suggests; theorem proving is mechanical, but there is a very beautiful art in selection of the axioms.

I like to think of it as Hofstadter suggests; theorem proving is mechanical

Does he really say that? If so, he must not have proven any. Few things require more imagination.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#9

Post by scorxn » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:38 AM UTC

I think defining an artform is populist. Therefore, you have to start somewhere. The emergence of "Programming Appreciation" courses would be a tipping point.

Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art

#10

Post by rfreytag » Thu, Dec 17, 2009, 2:53 AM UTC

gord wrote: post #3

It would be nice if psychologists would be honest and introspective enough to call their field an Art... at least until the appearance of a Hari Seldon.

The Hari Seldon of psychology is John Gottman: http://tinyurl.com/y9952j5