From: Louis J Scoras <louis.j.scoras@...>
Date: 2006-06-10T04:43:41+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby's role in future operating systems

On 6/9/06, James Britt <james_b@neurogami.com> wrote:
> Louis J Scoras wrote:
> > I think I used that phrase because for as much as I hate them, I am
> > weak and easily fall into the temptation of using cliches *smirks.*
>
> I didn't mean to single you out; I hear it all the time, and use it
> myself without thinking, and it struck that it may get used (by most
> people) more from habit and bias than astute observation.

Oh I know.  I was just trying to poke some light-hearted fun at myself
=). I didn't take it as being singled out.  To go totally off-topic
here, I think the worst is "step up to the plate."  Seriously, it
makes it very difficult to enjoy watching "The Apprentice".

> Maybe there is some value in calling people on it when they use it to
> bring some awareness: quick != dirty, and the choice to omit various
> behavior (robust error handling, for example) is not always a sign of
> weakness.  The cost of such behavior may be greater than its value.

Very well said.  I would say that "dirty" implies "unpolished", not
"unclean", and I agree with you--in some circumstances robustness is
certainly less important than getting the job done.  As Ken Thompson
said: "When in doubt, use brute force."


-- 
Lou.