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About this quote

What does it mean?
Some operators aren't syntactically special but are odd in other ways, like 'scalar' and 'goto'.
In plain terms
Operators like scalar and goto look normal but behave strangely.
What can you take from it?
Understand both syntax and semantics of language constructs.

Where it applies

  • language design
  • code maintenance

Putting it to work

  • read language specs
  • avoid confusing operators

Questions to consider

  • How do hidden complexities affect code quality?
  • Should languages hide such quirks?

Another view

What may seem odd now could become standard later.

More from Larry Wall

  1. (Never thought I'd be telling Malcolm and Ilya the same thing... :-)

    Permalink to quote #169
  2. Portability should be the default.

    Permalink to quote #171
  3. Hey, if pi == 3, and three == 0, does that make pi == 0? :-)

    Permalink to quote #168

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