Thank you (was Re: Should I learn Python or Java?)

[Peter Hansen]

Doug Ball wrote:
> 
> Peter you mentioned in a posting:
> 
> "I don't think I know of any language without warts, and
> I think there's a theory (from Hofstadter? (sp?)) that
> says you can't have a theory that is both consistent and
> complete."
> 
> I am a big fan of such things and was excited to see you mention it.
> However I think you may be referring to Godel's Theorem.

Exactly.  (I think it should be written Goedel, though, since
it probably had an umlaut.)

> If anyone is interested in this topic there is an excellent book entitled
> "Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas R. Hofstadter.  In
> his book, Dr. Hofstadter  restates Godel's theorem as: " All consistent
> axiomatic formulations of number theory include undecidable propositions."

I would have mentioned GEB but I wasn't sure how many eyes
would glaze over <wink>. Never had a copy to read, myself, but
I discussed points from it with a girlfriend once.  Hey,
at least I spelled his last name right. :)