Re^6: If you believe in Lists in Scalar Context, Clap your Hands

[chromatic]

If someone doesn't understand operator precedence, they have bigger issues than just a mental model of lists.

Yes. I agree. Every novice I've seen confused by the idea of "a list in scalar context" has had tremendous trouble understanding operator precedence and exactly what makes up a list in Perl. Context and operator precedence are the problem, not listishness.

[BrowserUk]

Sometimes the illusion is more useful than reality.

If you doubt this, consider all the useful 3D representations you use daily, drawn on 2D surfaces...whether they be games or icons or "3D bar charts" drawn on computer screens; or photos or painting around your home or office; exploded views in assembly manuals; signposts and diagrams of all kinds.

Further, 'inaccurate conceptual models' can serve both the beginner and the expert alike.

If you covered any electrical or electronics in your education, you probably started off thinking that "electricity flows from positive to negative". And then got pissed with your previous instructors when they queered the pot by telling that electrons actually flow from negative to positive. And then queered it further by telling you that most of the equations you would need for real world electrical and electronic engineering would require you to continue signing your electrical quantities as if the former was true; due to convention.

Getting hung up on reality has probably been the downfall of more students come exam time than inability.