Live data from Hacker News

A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

github.com

51–60 of 63 posts

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#51
post #25

Ken Thompson wrote in his famous paper [1] about quines: > If you have never done this, I urge you to try it on your own. The discovery of how to do it is a revelation that far surpasses any benefit obtained by being told how to do it Every once in a while I give them a try but I couldn't yet create one and it frustrates me very much. Afraid of being denied that "revelation" I never dared to read his paper past that…

It's easier in some languages than others. There is a delight in doing it, but don't overdo the anticipation. I've found greater delights in programming.

Like refactoring someone else's code? So much fun.

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#54
post #25

Ken Thompson wrote in his famous paper [1] about quines: > If you have never done this, I urge you to try it on your own. The discovery of how to do it is a revelation that far surpasses any benefit obtained by being told how to do it Every once in a while I give them a try but I couldn't yet create one and it frustrates me very much. Afraid of being denied that "revelation" I never dared to read his paper past that…

It's easier in some languages than others. There is a delight in doing it, but don't overdo the anticipation. I've found greater delights in programming.

Yes, it's quite easy in sh:

[update: same program also works in python and ruby]

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#56

I am amazed. I have no idea how the hell could the author even do that. Apparently, they have a book called "The world of obfuscated, esoteric, artistic programming", but it seems to be written in Japanese. I hope it will be translated to English someday, so I may learn this dark sorcery.

Quoted post unavailable.

I don't care if you share hollywood movies but I find it a bit appauling you just keep posting this crappy autotranslate of his in-print book.

This guy deserves some sales, he's legend.

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

I don't care if you share hollywood movies but I find it a bit appauling you just keep posting this crappy autotranslate of his in-print book. This guy deserves some sales, he's legend.

An argument could be made that, until he releases an English version, the crappy autotranslate version is better than nothing, and doesn't actually harm his sales, since the people who know Japanese will not care for the crappy autotranslate version, while people who don't will not care for the Japanese version.

Though, I personally found the autotranslate version somewhat unreadable, so I'll probably wait for the author's translation.

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

I don't care if you share hollywood movies but I find it a bit appauling you just keep posting this crappy autotranslate of his in-print book. This guy deserves some sales, he's legend.

I doubt he is loosing any sales because of this. You can't even buy the book outside of japan. I would 100% buy the book if I was able, but at the moment the best that is available is this crappy google translate version.

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't care if you share hollywood movies but I find it a bit appauling you just keep posting this crappy autotranslate of his in-print book. This guy deserves some sales, he's legend.

I doubt he is loosing any sales because of this. You can't even buy the book outside of japan. I would 100% buy the book if I was able, but at the moment the best that is available is this crappy google translate version.

[deleted]

Re: A Ruby program that generates itself through a 128-language quine loop

#60
If it's a 128 language loop is it fair to describe it as ruby?

The other 127 languages presumably have all the information so you should be able to start and end at any language?

I guess in its current implementation the ruby code is the code that ends the loop? But that is optional?

Post reply on HN