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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author claims that all language designers are inherently arrogant because of their role.
In plain terms
Language designers tend to be arrogant by nature of their work.
What can you take from it?
Recognize humility in design decisions.

Where it applies

  • creating a new language
  • defending design choices

Putting it to work

  • seek peer review
  • stay open to criticism

Questions to consider

  • How can designers stay humble?
  • What checks prevent arrogance?

Another view

Overconfidence can blind designers to user needs.

More from Larry Wall

  1. You want it in one line? Does it have to fit in 80 columns? :-)

    Permalink to quote #27

  2. Besides, including <std_ice_cubes.h> is a fatal error on machines that don't have it yet. Bad language design, there... :-)

    Permalink to quote #29

  3. What about WRITING it first and rationalizing it afterwards? :-)

    Permalink to quote #26

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