Subject: Re: becoming a better programmer From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.no> Date: 16 Sep 2002 13:08:56 +0000 Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++,comp.lang.lisp,comp.lang.java.programmer,comp.lang.perl.misc Message-ID: <3241170536192594@naggum.no> * "Alan J. Flavell" <flavell@mail.cern.ch> | Why? If "most Perl code" was obfuscated, there would be no point in | holding a contest. The exception proves the rule. Since you bring this age-old expression up, perhaps you should know what it really means to those few who know what it really means. From The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Oxford University Press 1998, Oxford Reference Online, 16 SEPT 2002 (they make me say all this, sorry) The very fact of an exception proves there must be a rule? (Brewer); now frequently misunderstood and used to justify inconsistency. Cf. L. exceptio probat regulam in casibus non exceptis, the exception confirms the rule in cases not excepted. This URL is also a required part of the reference, but it appears not to work unless you are a subscriber. Oh, well, for the IP lawyers, then: <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t90.000645> -- Erik Naggum, Oslo, Norway Act from reason, and failure makes you rethink and study harder. Act from faith, and failure makes you blame someone and push harder.