Why Perl is simply absurdist theatre
Marc Abramowitz observes that sometimes you can write programs that truly do look like line noise. Seriously, I think I remember my Hayes 300 baud modem spitting this stuff out.
I think it’s important to say that I wrote quite a bit of Perl code back in the mid 90s, before discovering the error of my ways. That was realized when I went back to change some nifty code I’d written and realized that I had no idea how it worked 2 years later. While you can write FORTRAN in any language, Perl present a whole world of opportunities for obfuscated code.
This entry was posted at 8:40 am on 16 June 2006 and is filed under Programming. You can follow any responses to this entry through the post-specific RSS 2.0 feed.
Fixed :-) Sorry ‘bout that.
Hugo Ball would be amused.
It’s possible to write readable, editable, maintainable perl – I do so all the time. I’d say that 90% of my perl code uses no cuter tricks than some sophisticated regex the xxx if (y) construct.
However, learning python is on my to-do list.
Doug
Okay Doug,
Then someone should write a version of BASIC that has regex functions. It’d make a nice alternative to Perl for many people. Then again I suppose that Python probably does fit the bill already.
[...] (I apologize for that initial semicolon but it’s necessary to acommodate WordPress. Hey, you can always get the source code). Yes. It does run, with interesting results. There’s even a CPAN module — Acme::EyeDrops — that turns your own Perl programs into purposely unmaintainable yet beautiful works of art that can make the entire Python Party cringe in disgust. You have to admit that there’s certain merit in making grown men cry. Automatically, no less. So the Obfuscated Python Contest is incredibly boring. I couldn’t care less. Via Carlos de la Guardia/Marc Abramowitz/Chris Petrilli. [...]
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Marc with a “c”. Don’t worry – very common error and in any case, I’m extremely impressed that you got my last name right. :-)