Stroustrup's Rule (2024)

Bjarne Stroustrup's Rule, which describes how people prefer explicit syntax for new features and terse notation for established ones, is gaining attention in the programming community. This rule is exemplified in languages like Rust, where the syntax for option types evolved from explicit to more concise as the feature became more familiar to programmers. Stroustrup's Rule is also relevant to the debate surrounding the Python "walrus" assignment operator, which experts found elegant but beginners found confusing. The rule's implications are significant, as it can lead to languages becoming bloated over time, with a focus on "expert-friendly" features that make it harder for beginners to learn.

The tension between explicit and terse notation is not unique to Rust or Python, but is a broader trend in programming language design. This trend is driven by the changing needs of the programming community, as languages evolve from being new and unfamiliar to becoming established and widely adopted. As languages mature, the ratio of experts to beginners shifts, leading to a greater emphasis on concise syntax that is preferred by experienced programmers. However, this can make it more challenging for newcomers to learn the language, highlighting the need for a balance between elegance and readability.

The implications of Stroustrup's Rule are significant, as they suggest that programming languages may become increasingly complex over time, with a focus on features that are appealing to experts but confusing to beginners. This has important implications for language design, teaching, and learning. As languages continue to evolve, it will be essential for designers to strike a balance between conciseness and readability, and for teachers to adapt their teaching methods to accommodate the changing needs of the programming community.