From fiona.blackett at strath.ac.uk Wed Oct 1 17:18:57 2025 From: fiona.blackett at strath.ac.uk (Fiona Blackett) Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2025 16:18:57 +0000 Subject: [msp-interest] [MSP101] Jeremy Singer: Let's Take Esoteric Programming Languages Seriously (4pm Fri 3/10, LT1414a) Message-ID: Hello all, This Friday at 4pm we have an MSP101 talk by Jeremy Singer, please see below for details! Additionally, we have a talk by Sean Watters coming up at our normal time (1pm on Monday, 6th October) so stay tuned for that announcement Cheers, Fiona Blackett ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date, time and place: Friday 3rd October, 16:00, Livingstone Tower room LT1414a Speaker: Jeremy Singer (University of Glasgow Title: Let's Take Esoteric Programming Languages Seriously Zoom Link: https://strath.zoom.us/j/83368306590?pwd=r8QvZDeXG8YvJAKGTBMRb7rumX2Dh7.1 Meeting ID 833 6830 6590 Password: whiteboard Abstract: Esoteric programming languages are challenging to learn, but their unusual features and constraints may serve to improve programming ability. From languages designed to be intentionally obtuse (e.g. INTERCAL) to others targeting artistic expression (e.g. Piet) or exploring the nature of computation (e.g. Fractan), there is rich variety in the realm of esoteric programming languages. This essay examines the counterintuitive appeal of esoteric languages and seeks to analyse reasons for this popularity. We will explore why people are attracted to esoteric languages in terms of (a) program comprehension and construction, as well as (b) language design and implementation. Our assertion is that esoteric languages can improve general PL awareness, at the same time as enabling the esoteric programmer to impress their peers with obscure knowledge. We will also consider pedagogic principles and the use of AI, in relation to esoteric languages. Emerging from the specific discussion, we identify a general set of "good" reasons for designing new programming languages. It may not be possible to be exhaustive on this topic, and it is certain we have not achieved that goal here. However we believe our most important contribution is to draw attention to the varied and often implicit motivations involved in programming language design. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.strath.ac.uk/archives/msp-interest/attachments/20251001/42519be4/attachment.html From fredrik.nordvall-forsberg at strath.ac.uk Thu Oct 9 18:38:20 2025 From: fredrik.nordvall-forsberg at strath.ac.uk (Fredrik Nordvall Forsberg) Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2025 18:38:20 +0100 Subject: [msp-interest] [MSP101] Fredrik Nordvall Forsberg: An introduction to constructive logic (4pm Fri 10/10, LT210) Message-ID: <5bb4f72a-aafb-47e8-ae2f-28848f8328cc@strath.ac.uk> Hi all, I am happy to report that tomorrow's rescheduled MSP101 seminar will go ahead, with an introductory talk given by yours truly. Depending on how well Fiona is feeling, there might also be another talk already on Monday, in our regular slot. Best wishes, Fred Date, time and place: ? Friday 10 October, 16:00, Livingstone Tower room LT210 Speaker: ? Fredrik Nordvall Forsberg (MSP) Title: ? An introduction to constructive logic Abstract: Constructive logic (also known as intuitionistic logic) is logic without the Law of the Excluded Middle, which states that P or ? P holds for every proposition P. Hilbert famously said that denying mathematicians the use of the Law of the Excluded Middle is "the same as denying the boxer the use of his fists". I will try to convince you that there sometimes is merit in not trying to punch people in the head. For example, constructive logic is the internal logic of toposes, and so a constructive proof can often be reinterpreted to show a much stronger result than a classical one, e.g., a constructed proof of the existence of a function might in fact automatically yield the existence of a continuous or computable function. Constructive logic often leads to interesting mathematics, as it allows for finer distinctions than classical logic. I will also discuss how and when, despite appearances, constructive logic can be seen as an extension of classical logic, rather than as a restriction. Zoom link: https://strath.zoom.us/j/83368306590?pwd=r8QvZDeXG8YvJAKGTBMRb7rumX2Dh7.1 ? (Meeting ID 833 6830 6590, passcode whiteboard) MSP101 Feeds: ? Web: http://msp.cis.strath.ac.uk/msp101.html ? RSS: http://msp.cis.strath.ac.uk/msp101.rss ? iCal: http://msp.cis.strath.ac.uk/msp101.ics