You sure you knew the same guy? My working memory is crap, and, presumably, getting worse. ;)
I find that functional programming really cuts down on the amount of mental state I need to maintain. So while I'll have some API docs and another module or two open for reference, I don't need to worry about what that variable gets set to two pages above.
Yes Joey, though I'm not sure if you still remember me - We co-founded CSLUG back in 1995. :-) I was a lowly freshman happy to get to geek out on Linux with CS folks. (Not many Physics people were really into it then.)
Ah, see, I can remeber your full name, Peter .. just had trouble getting there from the HN username. :)
As I recall, you were the secretary of CSLUG.. Indeed, querying my external memory for your posts, I find meeting minutes you posted that bring back memories. Nice :)
I find that functional programming really cuts down on the amount of mental state I need to maintain. So while I'll have some API docs and another module or two open for reference, I don't need to worry about what that variable gets set to two pages above.
Maybe avoiding that kind of unnecessary detail makes one's unconscious better able to work on the program too. Still learning about this: http://joeyh.name/blog/entry/on_not_coding_late/