Darren New wrote:
> Invisible wrote:
>> What do rewrite rules have to do with abstract algebra?
> 
> Algebra *is* rewrite rules.

AFAIK, abstract algebra is about the study of anything that has certain 
mathematical properties, and what that gives rise to. You don't actually 
rewrite anything.

>> ...which *I* do, but your typical programmer has *no clue*.
> 
> I think learning what an identity value is should be pretty easy. :)

Yes - if it was documented! (In language relevant to computer 
programming...)

>> We need propper documentation here!
> 
> So write them.

Gotta understand something before you can explain it.

>> Imagine trying to explain what a number "is" to somebody who doesn't 
>> already know. Well, I mean sure, the integers are easy enough. But 
>> what about negative numbers? Fractions? Irrationals? Transcendentals? 
>> Imaginary numbers? Hmm... actually, this is pretty hard!
> 
> I don't know. That was like third and fourth grade, here.

Yeah. But you try summing all that up in a short expression. Quite hard, 
isn't it?

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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