Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!willett!dwp
From: dwp@willett.UUCP (Doug Philips)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Re: Thoughts on Forth
Message-ID: <1447.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>
Date: 2 Aug 90 02:19:10 GMT
References: <1443.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>
Organization: String, Scotch tape, and Paperclips.  (in Pgh, PA)
Lines: 41

In <1443.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>, D.RUFFER [Dennis] writes:
>  
> Re: dwp@willett.UUCP (Doug Philips)
> 
> But does adaptablity produce perfection?
No, it allows for it, but there are no guarantees.
Inflexibility/Inadaptability prevents it, guaranteed.

> nothing about the variations in environments.  Adaptability implies minimal
> standards which produce portability problems.  Generally, adaptability means
> hard to learn.
Agreed.  No one said perfection was easy! :-)

> So, is our view of perfection flawed?  As individuals, we have the ability to
> make what we need.  As individuals, this is enough, but is it sufficient? 
> Will the common man/woman ever understand the power that we enjoy?  Will they
> ever care?
I cannot know if your view of perfection is flawed without first understanding
what that view is.  More on this below.  It is necessary that we be able
to "make what we need", it is not sufficient because we are part of the
process.  It is up to the individual to supply the remaining elements.
The language must avoid getting in the way.  That is the best method
for allowing (not ensuring) perfection.

Should we care if the common person understands?  Do they understand the
power that programmers in general enjoy?  Should they?  What are the
consequences (as you see them) of their understanding or lack thereof?

> What is perfection?   DaR
For finite mortals, I would say, perfection is a process.  The moment
progression towards perfection ceases, a flawed thing comes into being.
No written on paper language standard can be perfect.  It may be the
best we can do at any given time, but that is all.  Perfection, in that
static sense, can probably never be attained.  Perfection as a process,
I think, can be, so long as you maintain the process.

-Doug

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