[bazoom42]

The point of art (like music and litterature) is the art itself. Code is a craft, it is means to an end. It can still be beautiful and impressive and creative, but it is a different thing.

It is not a value judgement. Art can be bad or bland and code can be a work of genius. But the moon lander or a handmade watch are beautiful because they actually work. It can’t really be compared to music.

[actionfromafar]

But it can, demonstrably because sometimes code is music. The C64 demoscene is art and code and music and graphics, all in one. And it doesn't really do anything, unlike that handmade watch.

Now, is the demoscene "high art"? For the most part, perhaps not. But some of it definitely is.

[taybin]

Thank you for understanding my comment. Code is a craft and could maybe be more compared to pottery, which usually has a use, and is primarily judged by well it fulfills its purpose. I'm not saying that there isn't "beautiful" code, and certainly not denying clever code. But the goalpost that code is just as expressive as literature or music is just too much. Show me the code that is inspired by the reflection of a sunset on a pond on a windy day.

[txzl]

https://www.dwitter.net/d/35814