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Comment by tga | Hacker News Reader

http://www.paulgraham.com/pypar.html

True in 2004, probably still true to some extent in 2021.

That's still likely to be somewhat true, but it isn't really about programming languages, it's about new/niche technologies vs. established technologies.

By the same logic, Python would now also be in the 'uncool' group, since everyone and their mother uses it.

I think that it was never true. People always find ways to feel superior over random things and the above article was written to please certain kind of readers.

> if a company chooses to write its software in a comparatively esoteric language, they'll be able to hire better programmers, because they'll attract only those who cared enough to learn it.

During whole my career, I have found that there are always new things to learn. Learning is not limited to picking new language. And if you work in more popular language, no matter which one, there are always new framerworks, libraries, security issues, performance optimizations, approaches, tools to integrate with, algorithms, you name it.

What he is saying there is either that picking new language matters more then the above. I don't find that convincing.

> So a language that makes source code ugly is maddening to an exacting programmer, as clay full of lumps would be to a sculptor.

Is a programmer with aesthetic preference against java really inherently superior? I find that whole section low on arguments and high on colorful emotions appealing metaphors.

Not coding in java is often about preference and choice. Not sure where the superiority comes from.

So how do you resolve the paradox where a person works in Python and Java? Trust me, they exist. And not only those languages, but a bunch others.

So weird that back in 2004 Python was the "hot new niche language". I guess the modern parallel would be Rust, and now I wonder if rust will eventually be the same as python is now.

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