From: Kent Dahl <kentda@...>
Date: 2002-09-08T03:22:30+09:00
Subject: Re: Larry Wall's comments on Ruby

Christian Szegedy wrote:
> The complexity theory deals with (mainly asymptotic) runtime
> a space efficiency of algorithms and networks.
> It is *not* about design considerations in complex programs.
> 
> http://www.complexitytheory.com/
> 
> It's just a course overview, but you can get some impressions.

This looks like a rather specific application of complexity theory.
(Hence the "computional" in the title, I take it.) 

I wouldn't be surprised to see complexity theory (the general kind, not
the one posted a link to here) applied to designing large programs,
since complexity theory is used in a multitude of disciplines. (Economy,
weather forcasting, organizations etc) 

> The part you snipped was:
> 
> "Which, geven the time of his rise to ascendency would be expected. We
> are all a product of "our times". While complexity theory has been
> around since the 70's (some would say off and on since the time of the
> Egyptians) but was not widely known outside of very tight academic
> circles before the mid-90's. Thus, Larry can be forgiven for thinking
> the concept of "objects" too difficult for the beginner."
> 
> At least I don't see how Complexity Theory fits into this sentence
> unless it was meant sarcastically.

I agree on this though. Object oriented programming seems like a much
more structured and orderly with its encapsulation of behaviour and
data. Too much so as to have roots in complexity theory, which deals
more with emerging behaviour not obvious from the individual parts (such
as the chaos theory part of it). 

Complexity theory might shine light on problems we face in large OO
systems, but it sure ain't no prequisite for appreciating the wonderful
logic of OO that seems to be traceable back to Plato :-)

-- 
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