Having slogged through the 3 volumes of the 3rd Edition of TAOCP, I came away with 2 impressions: 1) How did Knuth work art into the title? 2) Disappointment that he took so long coming out with subsequent volumes. So long, that I no longer care about reading the subsequent volumes.
Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
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Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#12Computer programming is neither science or art, but can be used for both. It is a form of expression. This article seems to take root in an urge to justify computer programming as a serious endeavor in a time where it was still new in the world of academia. In a way, this whole debate is about identity and self image (just like taking idolization of the hacker subculture to extreme lengths).
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#13Is 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.
In some idealized form of math, proving theorems is indeed mechanical, but the branching factor is extremely high.
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#14Is 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.
It is by logic we prove, it is by intuition that we invent. - henri poincaré
http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Poincare.htm...
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#15It 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
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#16When 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.
We might think. It's unfortunate that Knuth is not more widely read or understood. He's a great writer, it shows in his writing and coding work.
I liked his quotes in 'Coders at Work' where he said he didn't expect anyone to read his books cover-to-cover, and he writes such detailed books in part to avoid forgetting stuff.
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#17"The moral of this story, it seems to me, is that we should make use of the idea of limited resources in our own education. We can all benefit by doing occasional "toy" programs, when artificial restrictions are set up, so that we are forced to push our abilities to the limit. We shouldn't live in the lap of luxury all the time, since that tends to make us lethargic. The art of tackling miniproblems with all our energy will sharpen our talents for the real problems, and the experience will help us to get more pleasure from our accomplishments on less restricted equipment."
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#18When 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.
for more of the same feeling, try reading The Mythical Man Month (the entire book)
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#19Hmm,
Art is lovely and creative and all. But if "flying a plane to the cleveland" was "an art, not a science", the passengers might be afraid to get on the plane.
Some parts of programming need have a certain standardization. I guess I'm still feeling burnt by "creative" scientific programmers who want their entire inspiration to exist entirely in matlab unavailable to any grubby practical hands. The quote Knuth criticizes seems like a reaction to schemes of this sort and so I have a bit of sympathy.
Re: Knuth: Computer Programming as an Art
#20"When I'm sitting in an audience listening to a long lecture, my attention usually starts to wane at about this point in the hour. So I wonder, are you getting a little tired of my harangue about 'science' and 'art'?"
yes. i'd already started skimming several pages earlier.
i don't have a problem with reading texts of any length, so long as they are telling me something interesting. belaboring an insignificant point for five or six pages does not fall into that category.
i know knuth is a smart guy and all, but man, this reminds me of why i so rarely read him.