[REBOL] Re: Parsing comment
From: jason:cunliffe:verizon at: 24-Sep-2002 23:11
Hi Carl
> incomprehesible. For this reason, I've never liked the suggestion
> that the best way to learn REBOL is to look at other people's
> scripts. It didn't work for me and I doubt it does for a lot of
> people. Get the guide and start writing scripts would be my
> suggestion.
Yes right.
I do see a developing distinction and concensus from this.
Python [and ilk] is notable for readability.
One can learn a lot of Pythin by reading other peoples code
Rebol is first and foremost a writer's language in the same way FORTH is.
That's whay it's so good for rapid prototyping and fun too.
Pythin is too. In that sense it is very well balanced, but with REBOL one really
gets insde teh logic flow in a differnt way. Its 'narrative'. I suppose that's
my ways of saying functional.
Which raises the question: how well does Rebol scale.
> What's important with your scripts is to choose good words for your
> functions and data, something that doesn't always matter as much in
> other languages. Ideally the words should suggest what they do or
> the data they represent, but it's not always easy thinking of good
> ones when you're coding - it can interrupt the flow.
I agree.
REBOL reminds me often of'Starting Forth' by Leo Brodie. I read it my first
Amiga and started learrning JForth [for HMSL]. I he described well the art and
importance of selecting the right words. Wish I had my copy to hand.
Starting Forth
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0138429227/002-1248362-9982457
http://home.earthlink.net/~lbrodie/books.html
> Once you're reasonably comfortable with REBOL you don't give a second
> thought about this, though it may be that REBOL's only suitable to
> certain types of programmers. That said, I haven't heard any major
Yes..
What do you think exactly it is that one learns to become comfortable?
What do think about REBOL being used as 'first' language and/or for kids?
> complaints about this from those who've seriously attempted to learn
> REBOL. Speed, features, documentation and licencing seem to get much
> more complaints.
Agreed
thanks for your comments
./Jason
