What is "Open Language"?

[Roland Huettmann]

Originally I had thought that "Open Language" means to allow LiveCode to
run other scripting languages within it's framework, for example using
Python, or somehow link such languages into LiveCode.

I started hating "machines" who started "understanding" me and making
assumptions about what I want. Already I hate when at Google confines me to
a certain earthly region and that it became almost impossible or very
difficult to change language. Again I want to become a "free" user of the
Internet. Or at least, there should be a button to switch OFF all
assumption about who I am and what I want.

I would love LiveCode NOT to understand the uncertainty of me. Computers
should not be behave being as ambiguous as we humans are. We love them
because they do what we want them to do, and not the other ways around, and
computer language should not leave much space for interpretation. It
follows a logic, and as long as it does that, it is acceptable. And we love
LiveCode because it allows to express logic in a way which is near to human
language - but will never replace it (I hope at least).

So, I like Monte's suggestion to have an auto-correct feature to help
correcting wrong input and wrong spelling - the correct one being defined
in the dictionary with as few synonyms as possible, but not force us not to
do something wrong. In case of wrong-doing, the compiler should bark at us,
or the application will misbehave - and we have learnt from doing wrong and
may have a chance to correct ourselves.

(The new scripting environment of FileMaker 14 is not so bad in
accomplishing some of this. A good place to take lessons from. As much as I
hated the old scripting environment, the new one has nice edges and really
is supportive...)

The language should grow not in the sense of making things more ambiguous
as they already are, but just advance the capabilities of expression within
limitations. If these limitations would be removed, the river will not find
it's bed to the ocean and spread all over in an uncontrolled way. We would
have big problems understanding each-other, and the effect will be simply
chaotic programming style.

I do not believe that the need for programming will die in 20 years as
someone here stated. Such prognosis was there already 20 years ago that
soon machines will program themselves. At least I do not want it - or only
as much as boundaries can be clearly defined. We could also state that
logic will not be needed in 20 years, or that we all started stop using our
mental capabilities and hand over our brain to the computer.

I do not want the computer to switch on the light in my room when I enter,
and know in advance what I am going to do or think or wish - unless I
completely control its behavior. Thinking further, this leads to quite a
philosophical discussion and touches the base of our human existence and
the notion about who we are.

Think of musical notes. Would Mozart have been able to communicate his
genius without them? Musical notes leave all the space for expression, but
still confine the basic intention into a framework of the limitations of a
language.

Why do we love LiveCode? Or why would students love it? Because it gives
freedom of expression within a set of limitations - using simple English
expressions. How would a Chinese learn all the intricacies of English
vocabulary? He will not. Keep it simple and "stupid" within it's own set,
as musical notes are not that difficult to learn, but using them is quite
an interesting and different matter.

When there is a flow of beauty in such language, people will catch on. But
do not make it to be really English. Let us rather focus on thinking what
such typical user might expect when writing a statement. Will the machine
act accordingly? Or will there be unexpected results? And if there are
unexpected results, there must be "work-rounds", and then things become
ugly.

In this sense I would raise my voice against "Open Language".

But I am all for more and more beauty in LiveCode, and for ever growing
power accomplishing things that we want the machines to do in the most
logical way possible using LiveCode. And I think the "team" is trying to
just accomplish this - step by step. I admire them.

People are not against learning as long as there is a fruit to be
gained.And if we do not challenge our brain with ever growing
sophistication then it will also just die away. )

Roland



On 26 October 2015 at 11:09, Mark Waddingham <mark at livecode.com> wrote:

> On 2015-10-26 10:26, Monte Goulding wrote:
>
>> I agree with you. I hate synonyms. They should be replaced by
>> auto-completion.
>>
>
> How about 'spelling assist' too - referencing a dynamic dictionary based
> on context.
>
> Mark.
>
> --
> Mark Waddingham ~ mark at livecode.com ~ http://www.livecode.com/
> LiveCode: Everyone can create apps
>
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