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Why isn't mutable a subtype of immutable, or vice versa?

28 points · 56 comments · ibobev

  1. Sharlin · · focus · HN ↗
    As a total aside, the names `car` and `cdr` for "head" and "tail" are honestly some of the most baffling historical relics in all of computing.
    1. MiroslavPokorny · · focus · HN ↗
      What i dont understand is why does everything have to be so brief. Take car and cdr there is only one character difference, more character differences is a good thing not bad.
      1. thaumasiotes · · focus · HN ↗
        > What i dont understand is why does everything have to be so brief.

        The concept is to make things easier for people who are familiar with the language. Making things harder for that group is always counterproductive, because they are the only people who can do any useful work.

        1. MiroslavPokorny · · focus · HN ↗
          If a person cant handle typing a 8 character var name and can only handle short names that are 3 chars, then you have a much bigger problem.
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