[fonc] Programming Language Theory Stack Exchange

Discussion:

David Barbour

2014-09-27 14:29:26 UTC

A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has reached
commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If you're interested in PL,
please participate:

http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/65167?phase=commitment

Miles Fidelman

2014-09-27 14:37:41 UTC

Permalink

Post by David Barbour
A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has reached
commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If you're interested in

For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of
programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/

Miles Fidelman

--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra

Julian Leviston

2014-09-28 01:20:32 UTC

Permalink

Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern languages. I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX and UI. It's incredibly difficult to parse.

J

http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need GetContented - Get Your Website Happy. :)

For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/
Miles Fidelman
--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

Trevor Wennblom

2014-09-28 02:58:57 UTC

Permalink

How so Julian? Hehe.

Post by Julian Leviston
Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern languages.
I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX and UI. It's
incredibly difficult to parse.
J
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *- Get Your
Website Happy. :)
A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has reached
commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If you're interested in PL,
For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of
programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/
Miles Fidelman
--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

Julian Leviston

2014-09-28 03:05:12 UTC

Permalink

I think because of a lack of overview. When you go there initially, you're immediately reading the latest article, which, if you understand the context and what the site is, is fine... but if you don't, then it can be confusing.

Julian

http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need GetContented - The Best Thing Since Sliced Websites! :)

Post by Trevor Wennblom
How so Julian? Hehe.
Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern languages. I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX and UI. It's incredibly difficult to parse.
J
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need GetContented - Get Your Website Happy. :)

_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

Trevor Wennblom

2014-09-28 04:03:20 UTC

Permalink

Yeah. I guess so... :)

Post by Julian Leviston
I think because of a lack of overview. When you go there initially, you're
immediately reading the latest article, which, if you understand the
context and what the site is, is fine... but if you don't, then it can be
confusing.
Julian
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *- The Best
Thing Since Sliced Websites! :)
How so Julian? Hehe.

Miles Fidelman

2014-09-28 04:12:38 UTC

Permalink

Silly question, perhaps, but isn't that true of a stack exchange site as
well?

Post by Julian Leviston
I think because of a lack of overview. When you go there initially,
you're immediately reading the latest article, which, if you
understand the context and what the site is, is fine... but if you
don't, then it can be confusing.
Julian
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**The Best
Thing Since Sliced Websites! :)

Post by Trevor Wennblom
How so Julian? Hehe.
Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern
languages. I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX
and UI. It's incredibly difficult to parse.
J
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**Get
Your Website Happy. :)
On 28 Sep 2014, at 12:37 am, Miles Fidelman

Post by Miles Fidelman

Post by David Barbour
A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has
reached commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If

For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of
programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/
Miles Fidelman
--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra

Julian Leviston

2014-09-28 04:45:56 UTC

Permalink

Nope...

If you go here:
http://stackoverflow.com

...you'll notice that there's a clear heading saying "top questions", and it's very clear that there are questions and answers under that. Particularly the "Ask Question" button on its own. The structure, design and layout of the site informs the purpose very clearly.

Contrast this with the freeform wiki nature of LTU which doesn't really have a layout...

Julian.

http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need GetContented - Make Websites, Not War!

Silly question, perhaps, but isn't that true of a stack exchange site as well?

Post by Julian Leviston
I think because of a lack of overview. When you go there initially, you're immediately reading the latest article, which, if you understand the context and what the site is, is fine... but if you don't, then it can be confusing.
Julian
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**The Best Thing Since Sliced Websites! :)

Post by Trevor Wennblom
How so Julian? Hehe.
Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern
languages. I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX
and UI. It's incredibly difficult to parse.
J
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**Get
Your Website Happy. :)
On 28 Sep 2014, at 12:37 am, Miles Fidelman

Post by Miles Fidelman

Post by David Barbour
A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has
reached commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If

For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of
programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/
Miles Fidelman
-- In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

Miles Fidelman

2014-09-28 13:36:58 UTC

Permalink

You're assuming that Q&A is a good way to discuss a topic in depth.
Personally, I don't. (IMHO) Stack exchange is great for technical
support, and quick research into questions - not so great for discussing
topics in depth.

For the avowed purpose of "influenc(ing) and foster(ing) interest, in
the development of new programming languages" I kind of think of "ACM
Transactions on Programming Languages and Systems."

For "learn(ing) more about the subject or hav(ing) their doubts
elucidated" I think of a good textbook.

For interactive discussion - I personally find blog format (essay +
responses & discussion) to work quite well (coupled with a good search
function).

Again - just one man's opinion.

Post by Julian Leviston
Nope...
http://stackoverflow.com
...you'll notice that there's a clear heading saying "top questions",
and it's very clear that there are questions and answers under that.
Particularly the "Ask Question" button on its own. The structure,
design and layout of the site informs the purpose very clearly.
Contrast this with the freeform wiki nature of LTU which doesn't really have a layout...
Julian.
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**Make
Websites, Not War!

Silly question, perhaps, but isn't that true of a stack exchange site as well?

Post by Julian Leviston
I think because of a lack of overview. When you go there initially,
you're immediately reading the latest article, which, if you
understand the context and what the site is, is fine... but if you
don't, then it can be confusing.
Julian
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**The
Best Thing Since Sliced Websites! :)

Post by Trevor Wennblom
How so Julian? Hehe.
On Sat, Sep 27, 2014 at 8:20 PM, Julian Leviston
Hehe that's interesting. I'd never associated LTU with modern
languages. I'm not sure why. Possibly because of the archaic UX
and UI. It's incredibly difficult to parse.
J
http://www.getcontented.com.au/ - You Need *GetContented *-**Get
Your Website Happy. :)
On 28 Sep 2014, at 12:37 am, Miles Fidelman

Post by Miles Fidelman

Post by David Barbour
A proposed stack exchange for programming language theory has
reached commitment phase. It needs two hundred people. If

For those not aware of it, the starting point for discussions of
programming language theory is http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/
Miles Fidelman
-- In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc

--
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra

David Barbour

2014-09-28 14:23:45 UTC

Permalink

Post by Miles Fidelman
You're assuming that Q&A is a good way to discuss a topic in depth.

I believe you're misreading Julian. AFAICT, he's said nothing about the
utility of the discussions on each site.

Q&A can be good for depth - see Socratic method. But a site like
StackExchange doesn't support follow-up questions to take advantage of that
point.

I believe a PL StackExchange site can fill a niche that LtU does not.

Josh McDonald

2014-09-29 04:05:58 UTC

Permalink

For anybody interested in this sort of site: I while ago I found myself
asking for something "more frequently updated and less-demanding of a math
degree" than LtU, but without all the "silicon valley VC navelgazing" of
HN. A friend pointed me to https://lobste.rs/ which so far seems to have a
nice balance.

Cheers,
-Josh

--

"Enjoy every sandwich." - WZ

Josh 'G-Funk' McDonald

On Sun, Sep 28, 2014 at 8:36 AM, Miles Fidelman <

Post by Miles Fidelman
You're assuming that Q&A is a good way to discuss a topic in depth.

I believe you're misreading Julian. AFAICT, he's said nothing about the
utility of the discussions on each site.
Q&A can be good for depth - see Socratic method. But a site like
StackExchange doesn't support follow-up questions to take advantage of that
point.
I believe a PL StackExchange site can fill a niche that LtU does not.
_______________________________________________
fonc mailing list
http://vpri.org/mailman/listinfo/fonc