[ocaml-biz] adjectives about OCaml

[William Neumann]

On Sep 14, 2004, at 1:22 PM, Brandon J. Van Every wrote:

> I disagree.  I think Alexander chose his word correctly.  In contrast,
> Haskell is hopelessly optimistic that Functional Programming really can
> do every job best.  Convolute through a monad, whatever the heck that
> is.  No problemo!  Haskell is idealistic and pure, OCaml is cynical.

OK, let's try it this way:

cyn·i·cal  adj.
	1.  Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly 
by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others: a 
cynical dismissal of the politician's promise to reform the campaign 
finance system.
	2.  Selfishly or callously calculating: showed a cynical disregard for 
the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.
	3.  Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness: a cynical view 
of the average voter's intelligence.
	4.  Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity: cynical 
laughter.

How does that fit in any way with programming languages -- even if you 
bring in the pseudo-antonyms ideal and pure, it makes no sense to use 
cynical with a programming language.  And the closest I can come to 
spinning it into a positive connotation is, "People suck, OCaml 
doesn't.  OCaml, a cynical language for a cynical programmer..."

Not a great ring to it, eh?

William D. Neumann

"You've got Rita Marlowe in the palm of your hand."
"Palm of my hand?  You haven't seen Rita Marlowe..."

		-- Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?
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