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The Tao of Programming (1987)

mit.edu

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Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#51

Post by CobrastanJorji »

fjcp wrote: post #29
hanche wrote: post #23

I have to say I also enjoyed The Codeless Code. A search reveals that stories from there have been submitted to HN several times, though hardly ever commented on. There have been no new stories since 2016. http://thecodelesscode.com/contents

The Codeless Code is great and very entertaining, and sometimes one can learn some lessons from the stories. One that I remember to this day and always consider when building an application is the The White Pearl[0]. [0] http://thecodelesscode.com/case/73

My two favorite Codeless Codes are "Possible Race Condition" (http://thecodelesscode.com/case/225) and "Unsupported Accusations" (http://thecodelesscode.com/case/224).

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#52

Post by vitiral »

Drahflow wrote: post #17
ngcc_hk wrote: post #14

Just my master degree finished laotze and now moved to chungtze. This copy is so bad that I am sorry it does not get Tao of programming at all. At least not tao. * I think at least have some story of debugging like dissect of the ox in zhungzi like in the beginning I hack the code with hardship, strgguking all the time with upgrades and ... finally I do not see the problem and I can fix whatsoever with whatever langu…

I'd be curious how you think about my favorite version: https://pastebin.com/raw/dXdZXnux

I think the license has a loophole where it forgot to include the blood signature on my computer screen, extracted with a carbon-fiber blade made from Stallman's mane.

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#53

Post by FalconSensei »

ckpcw wrote: post #47

Such a great text. However, the fact that the programmers are all "he" and the only reference to a female pronoun is a "hostess greeting her guests" was somewhat abrasive to me. Previous discussion on the topic: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8036547 I get it -- it's written in an old style. And I don't want to censor art. SO -- I made a "mod" for the book, that randomizes the pronouns each time. https://xtao.s…

Alternatively, you can just use singular 'they'. (Although I hate it, seems the easier option)

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#54

Post by burrows »

Jean-Philipe wrote: post #50
ckpcw wrote: post #47

Such a great text. However, the fact that the programmers are all "he" and the only reference to a female pronoun is a "hostess greeting her guests" was somewhat abrasive to me. Previous discussion on the topic: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8036547 I get it -- it's written in an old style. And I don't want to censor art. SO -- I made a "mod" for the book, that randomizes the pronouns each time. https://xtao.s…

I love it! Instead of just complaining, you're also offering a solution.

Yeah! Another job well done by Minitruth!

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#55

Post by mikestew »

wolco2 wrote: post #11
linsomniac wrote: post #4

I went through a major book downsizing ~7 years ago when I moved unexpectedly. I don't know the exact book count, but something like 60+ linear feet, down to a single armload. The Tao of Programming and The Tao of Pooh both made that cut.

Did Zen and the Art of Motorcycling Maintenance make the cut.

I have a hard copy (copy #3 for me, I believe) because I, too, have trimmed down to essentials and that book is one of them. The Bantam printing, IMO, is nearly unreadable if you're over 35 years old. I have the Kindle version, too, so the hard copy is just decoration at this point.

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#56

Post by animal_spirits »

0xbadcafebee wrote: post #38
UncleSlacky wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's just working itself that sucks. AKA alienation of labor, as Marx put it: > labor is external to the worker. It does not belong to his nature. He does not realize himself in his work, that he denies himself in it. That he does not feel at ease in it but rather unhappy. He does not develop free physical and mental energy in it... The worker is only himself when he does not work, and in his work he feels outside…

People hate Capitalism in the same way they hate Country Music. They say, "I like all music except Country. I hate Country." And you say, "So you hate Johnny Cash?" And they say, "Oh. No, I like Johnny Cash. But I hate the rest of Country." This is the Tao of Labels.

When people say "I like all music except Country" what they usually really mean is "I like all music except modern Pop-Country" because when you turn on the "Country" radio station you hear the modern pop country. I was the same way until I realized there's waaaay more good country music than what is played on the radio

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#57

Post by libraryatnight »

goatinaboat wrote: post #28
jraby3 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I moved abroad about ten years ago to a non English speaking country. Got the first kindle that came out and never looked back. I have hundreds of books I take with me everywhere now.

I have hundreds of books I take with me everywhere now This is an underexplored cultural shift I think. In the past your books and your music on LP or CD and your movies on DVD or VHS were part of the decor, usually on prominent display in the living room, the room of the house where guests were entertained. Even your games carts for your console would be in that display. Seeing what was in your host's collection was…

I find keeping a library, while a pain in the ass to move, keeps the books and their contents more fresh in my mind. Sometimes I browse the shelves and get reminded of interesting ideas or just feel compelled to pick something up again. I don't get the same from scrolling through my Kindle library for some reason.

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#58

Post by Cactus2018 »

seibelj wrote: post #7
linsomniac wrote: post #4

I went through a major book downsizing ~7 years ago when I moved unexpectedly. I don't know the exact book count, but something like 60+ linear feet, down to a single armload. The Tao of Programming and The Tao of Pooh both made that cut.

Paring down a book collection is a very strange act for the bibliophile. I only did it once but the end result was a much sharper collection. (Un?)Fortunately since then I got a bigger place, more shelves, and now my collection is over 2x since then. But the day I donated a ton of books sticks out in my mind, I remember the weather, all of my movements, and even what I ate for lunch (chicken sandwich). Few days from…

I paired down my book collection recently, and while looking for a shop to take them, I was discouraged to discover how selective of the type of books they accept

>> No: atlases, catalogues, computer books, comic books, condensed books, exercise, erotica, magazines, journals, art catalogues, outdated business books, romance novels, and textbooks.

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#59

Post by ckpcw »

burrows wrote: post #54
Jean-Philipe wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love it! Instead of just complaining, you're also offering a solution.

Yeah! Another job well done by Minitruth!

Got em! In all fairness, I do agree with the sentiment behind your trolling though. That's why I made this a "mod" where the user provides the original text.

It's an interesting approach to the "relevancy update" without suppressing or censoring the original. I -really- don't want to be the person breaking penises off statues or changing the edit so Han shoots in defense.

This is not rewriting of truth. This is Counter-Strike vs. Half-Life. An original-source-available remix.

Re: The Tao of Programming (1987)

#60

Post by ckpcw »

FalconSensei wrote: post #53
ckpcw wrote: post #47

Such a great text. However, the fact that the programmers are all "he" and the only reference to a female pronoun is a "hostess greeting her guests" was somewhat abrasive to me. Previous discussion on the topic: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8036547 I get it -- it's written in an old style. And I don't want to censor art. SO -- I made a "mod" for the book, that randomizes the pronouns each time. https://xtao.s…

Alternatively, you can just use singular 'they'. (Although I hate it, seems the easier option)

Definitely easier, but it would sacrifice a lot of the style IMO. I did hardcode the 'host greeting their guests' part.
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