The Paradox of Elegant Programming Languages: Why Simplicity Can Be a Curse

Some programming languages fail to gain traction due to obscurity or overly ambitious designs. The article explores the challenges faced by concise, elegantly designed languages like BF and Scheme, where developers often prioritize building their own implementations rather than using existing ones. The author argues that a balance between simplicity and practicality is crucial. Multiple implementations are beneficial only when a strong user community exists and demands diverse implementations. The success of Clojure and Racket suggests that languages need to reach a critical mass to attract users who focus on application development, rather than implementation.