From: Johnny Morrice <spoon@...>
Date: 2011-04-03T20:05:59+09:00
Subject: Re: Lambda Shambda

> I guess my little bit of tinkering with this leads me to ask "Why
> should I have to instruct the computer how to navigate data
> structures and code my own error capturing?

Gee if only you had strong typing you wouldn't get those errors.  And
if only the compiler could generate the code for your specific use case
on a specific data structure, given that you could prove it held
certain properties...

..but wait, that sounds like that horrible functional school!  SHUN
THOSE TECHNIQUES, SHUN THEM MY PRETTIES!

> You would need a web server to launch each Excel 'program', and you
> would need a module that converts formatted Excel pages into HTML.
> Some functions like calling web services and HTML formatting might
> practically have to be implemented as non-Excel code (eg VBA or Ruby)
> but as these would require only simple configuration they could be
> viewed as extensions to the inbuilt functions and would not require
> programming ability on the part of the user.

Assuming our developers are possessed of sound mind, they
may instead choose to achieve your aims in this manner:

1. Data is generated from the spreadsheet and inserted into a
database.

2. Then a dynamic website (not written in Excel) reads from the
database.

This is an example of how different software tools, each specialized
for a different task, work together to perform a cohesive action.
Everything has its place.

IMO that is the way of the Tao.  Choosing Excel above all
else does not lead to the Tao.  Instead it leads down the path of Rube
Goldberd, that you illustrate above.

Cheers
Johnny