Computing Expert Says Programmers Need More Math | Quanta Magazine
Leslie Lamport revolutionized how computers talk to each other. Now he’s working on how engineers talk to their machines.
Hasnain says:
Great interview of one of the greats in computer science (Leslie Lamport). Goes into theoretical CS and foundational systems work; along with formal verification and education.
“Specification languages like TLA+ aren’t used very widely in industry, right? Why do you think that is?
Well, I’m doing what I can. But basically, programmers and many (if not most) computer scientists are terrified by math. So that’s a tough sell.
Secondly, every project has to be done in a rush. There’s an old saying, “There’s never time to do it right. There’s always time to do it over.” Because TLA+ involves upfront effort, you’re adding a new step in the development process, and that’s also a hard sell.”