[mibbit]

BS. Syntax is exactly like fashionable clothes. It's irrelevant to how warm your clothes are.

The number of developer years wasted coming up with yet another programming language or syntax is staggering.

It's a solved problem. Pick an existing syntax and use it.

You don't see people endlessly coming up with new syntax for math do you. We've got one, it works well, so we use it.

[gnaritas]

> It's a solved problem.

No it isn't.

> You don't see people endlessly coming up with new syntax for math do you.

Actually, yes, yes you do.

[ajanuary]

There are many mathematical notations for the same things, usually depending on the domain or different focus. Just like with programming languages.

[drothlis]

Choice of syntax affects how easy it will be to create tools for the language (IDE syntax highlighting, code browsing/navigation, automated refactoring, etc). There is still plenty of room (and need!) for improvement, for innovation. At the other extreme, imagine a world where every language used C++'s syntax.

[mibbit]

Imagine a world where instead of writing books, authors spent forever needlessly inventing new languages to write them in.

[gnaritas]

They already do both; have you not ever read Lord of the Rings?

[asynchrony]

There are more differences between steel-toed boots, sandals, and stiletto heels than just how warm they are. In modern times it is also rather rare to encounter individuals wearing togas and/or powdered wigs. I'm not convinced that fashion is a complete explanation for these phenomena.