Have you read Programming Perl? It uses many different biblical figures in the examples
I am sure this is do to the fact that Larry Wall is Christian. That said I think people should be able to put whatever they want on their homenodes. I personally do not want to have anything to do with organized religion in any way shape or form. I feel too many of these folks feel the need to impose their beliefs on others in the forms of laws or social standards. The fact the John Ashcroft when asked point blank if he believed there was really a "devil" or not he responded "yes". So one of the most powerful men in the country has a literal belief that there is a little red man with horns running around shouting "I'm the devil, I'm the devil" poking people with his pitchfork. He also made them cover up the justice statue at the DOJ because there was a bare breast showing. Of course these are extreme examples and I am sure I will get flamed by the moral minority for this post. So I guess what I am saying is that I think you should be able to post anything you want on your homenode just don't starting messaging me scripture and yes this has happened here before.
Cheers,
Jeffery | [reply] |
So one of the most powerful men in the country has a literal belief that there is a little red man with horns running around shouting "I'm the devil, I'm the devil" poking people with his pitchfork.
Pertinent Sinfest comic.
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Programming Perl also uses %Flintstones and %Simpsons as examples. I don't hear anyone complaining about that.
And as far as picking names for variables, the names should mean something. For example, if I was coding a robot, I might use $gypsy, $crow, or $cambot as variable names because I'm a fan of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, and it's a mnemonic device. By the same token, someone who is a serious Christian might use biblical figures to accomplish the same purpose.
Here's an example, although you'd be unlikely to see it in the real world.
A system is password-protected. In order to make the login more difficult, you have to enter your login and password three times. Each time, you will be denied access, and asked to try again. After three failed attempts, security leaves you alone, and you can enter. You might call this section of code "Peter", because the apostle Peter denied knowing Christ three times, even though he did know him. Another section might monitor user behavior, and report improper behavior back to the admin so the user can be removed. It wouldn't be reaching to call that section "Judas", because it betrays the user.
I'm not a Christian, but I love a good pun, and I appreciate the amount of work that goes into an extended metaphor. If a person can understand their code better by using Biblical names, go nuts. As long as useability isn't hindered, say by making a variable name $I_am_going_to_hell_because_I_took_the_Lords_name_in_vain, who cares?
-Logan
"What do I want? I'm an American. I want more." | [reply] |
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I'll file the MST3K variable name idea, thanks. I rather like that one. Lots of potential for lovely in-jokes while being educational.
$host_preference = $joel || $mike;
open my $hexfield_viewscreen, "<", "/dev/rocket_number_9";
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Does it? That rings a bell, actually. It's been a while since I last read through it.
/me makes a mental note to reread the Camel Book when he gets home
LAI
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