The Fundamental Flaw of Programming Languages: The Data vs. Object Debate

2025-08-21
The Fundamental Flaw of Programming Languages: The Data vs. Object Debate

The author argues that existing programming languages have a fundamental flaw in how they handle data and objects. They point out that languages need to distinguish between data (e.g., the integer 1) and objects (entities with identity and mutability). Many languages fail to clearly differentiate between the two, leading to code bloat and design challenges. The author believes ideal languages should allow developers to explicitly choose data or object representations and provide appropriate support. The article uses Java and Haskell as examples to contrast object-oriented and functional languages' approaches to data and objects, analyzing Erlang's advantages in this regard. The conclusion advocates for clearer distinctions between data and objects in programming language design to improve efficiency and code quality.

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Development objects

Types: The Foundation of Software Design

2025-01-03
Types: The Foundation of Software Design

Software design is more than just writing functions; it's about high-level architecture. This article argues that types are the most crucial element. Types define data structures and function interfaces, key to understanding and communicating software design. Even in dynamically typed languages, types exist implicitly. Good type design improves code readability, maintainability, and reliability, aiding abstraction and modularity. The article explores differences between static and dynamic typing and how various type systems (like generics and dependent types) impact design.

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