Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

By 'complicated' in point 1, do you mean 'large'? Because a complex algorithm should be fine -- heck, it should be better in something like Python because it's relatively easy to write, so you have an easier time thinking about what you're doing, avoid making a mistake that would lead to an O(n³) runtime instead of the one you were going for, takes less development time, etc.

I assume you meant 'large' because, as software like Wordpress beautifully demonstrates, you can have the simplest program (from a user's perspective) in the fastest language but by using a billion function calls for the default page in a default installation, you can make anything slow. Using a slow language for large software, if that's what you meant to avoid then I agree.

And as another note, point number 2 basically excludes all meaningful software. Not that I necessarily disagree, but it's a bit on the heavy-handed side.



By complicated I guess I mean "lots of types". Static typing makes up for its cost once I can't keep all the types in my head at the same time.

Point number 2 excludes pretty much all network-connected software, and that's intentional. I suppose single-player games are ok to write in C or C++.


> 2 excludes pretty much all network-connected software

Not caring about local privilege escalation I see ;). Attack surface might be lower, but from lockscreens to terminals there is a lot of stuff out there that doesn't need to be connected to the internet itself before I find it quite relevant to consider whether it was written in a dumb language.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: