Case-sensitivity: why -- or why not? (was Re: Damnation!)

[Ian Parker]

In article <CF125757AB5DD5D5.094581AB6FCF9F26.41037540192780A3 at lp.airnew
s.net>, Tres Seaver <tseaver at starbase.neosoft.com> writes
>In article <3929D3F6.DE9CCCBC at prescod.net>,
>Paul Prescod  <paul at prescod.net> wrote:
>>> However, I am having trouble imagining how removing case-sensitivity from 
>>> the language could improve usablility for any programmer, regardless of 
>>> his/her skill level.  Most people seem to have no particular trouble with 
>>> case-sensitivity in natural languages; 
>>
>>If you review the variety of formatting conventions in this list, you'll
>>find that that is not the case. Guido himself documented how people
>>speak of the String and FTPLib modules and python programming language.
>>
>>> why should a computer language be any different?  On the other hand, 
>>> maybe I am just too ingrained in my old thought patterns.
>>
>>I prefer case sensitivity. But I think that most of the arguments people
>>make in favor of it are bunk. 
>>
>>1. If you spend time with newbies -- especially Windows-trained newbiews
>>-- you will note the case sensitivity is a problem.
>>
>>2. Code written in a case insensitive language is roughly as robust and
>>readable as that in a case sensitive language.
>
>As one who has worked for a long time in a case-insensitive language
>(ObjectPascal), I cannot disagree more strongly.  ObjectPascal code
>which is written by case-neglecting programmers is painful to read,
>and harder to maintain.  It *also* tends to be sloppier, and therefore
>buggier, in other ways (fencposts, etc.)
>
>Case sensistivity provides exactly the same kind of benefit as indentation:
>it reduces the space in which individual "style" impacts the code, in order
>to increase sharability of code.
>
>Tres.

Tres

I've also worked for a very long time in case-insensitive languages.
I'd thought that I wasn't too bothered either way. However, you've just
persuaded me that case sensitivity probably is better.  


-- 
Ian Parker