On 2006-08-07, at 07:12:11, has wrote:

>> Just remember that Hamish got married to Python a few years ago  
>> and won't be called to testify against his spouse ;-)

> Funny man. Y'know, ain't wise to be casting stones like that, Mr I- 
> use-the-AmigaOS-of-Programming-Languages... ;p

Garter snakes aside,

What I find interesting lately is that OSA started with something  
like 37 calls on AppleEvent descriptors and XSLT started with  
something like 37 function handlers on XML elements. A prime number  
in case it's relevant. These are both excellent concepts with proof  
by implementation. Following the "less is more" philosophy, the  
question is if it's possible to devise a superset of these two  
notions which is expressed more compactly yet delivers more? And for  
base types, are array, boolean, data, date, dict, number, and string  
enough.

> Also, AppleScript just massively pissed me off one too many times.  
> Other languages may occasionally annoy a bit, but at least they  
> don't induce full-blown psychotic breaks. :p

There's a lovely book at Swiss Cottage Library (off Finchley Road)  
called Sacred Geometry. Can do wonders for those experiencing full- 
blown psychoses.

ciao,

Philip Aker
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