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Lena Plaksina

If programming languages are about technology, why did Matz optimise Ruby for “developer happiness”?  Computers pay little regard to how an instruction is expressed — whatever we write in Ruby can just as well be expressed in Java, C#, or Smalltalk. So, why do people gravitate to one language over another? How do programming communities form? What drives their ethos and manifestos?

Hi, I’m Lena. I’m an avid cat rescuer, learning enthusiast, and Rails Bridge Wellington organising committee member. I started out in design, but fell for web and software development during my first industry internship. I've been writing Ruby since 2015, and I'm currently learning other languages to expand my toolkit. I’m all about finding patterns, building and communicating software in a way that helps everyone understands it, and failing better – mistakes make me a better developer, and I believe that failing is just an opportunity to learn. When I’m not coding, I’m watching movies with my 3-legged rescue cat Warlock, collecting enamel pins, and helping out and/or presenting at tech community events around town.

Produced by NDV: https://youtube.com/channel/UCQ7dFBzZGlBvtU2hCecsBBg?sub_confirmation=1

#ruby #rubyconf #rubyconfau #rubyconf_au #rails #programming

Fri Feb 21 11:15:00 2020 at Plenary Room

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In her talk at RubyConf AU 2020, Lena Plaksina explores the intricacies of creating a programming language, using her own project, Wholesome Lang, as a case study. She reflects on how programming languages are not just technical tools but are also infused with the personality and values of their creators. Lena emphasizes the relationship between language and community, supported by Melvin Conway's theory that the structure of communication influences the design of organizations and their products.

**Key Points:**  
- **Introduction to Wholesome Lang:**  
  Lena discusses the origins of her programming language, born out of a jest related to her unique speaking patterns and her friends' encouragement. The language is designed to be fun, utilizing an object-oriented paradigm, and is implemented in Ruby, a language she has been using since 2015.  
- **Technical Aspects:**  
  - **Tokenizer and Parser:**  
    Lena details the importance of the tokenizer and parser in Wholesome Lang, explaining how they transform and process the source code.  
  - **Debugging Capabilities:**  
    Emphasizing her priorities in design, Lena mentions that debugging was a crucial feature from the start.  
- **Unique Features:**  
  Lena highlights whimsical functionality, such as the language's rejection of unwholesome code and the use of 'friends' instead of traditional class structures in programming, reflecting her lighthearted approach to coding.  
- **Community and Influence:**  
  She connects her personal experiences with language, being an immigrant and navigating multiple languages, to how these experiences shape the creation of programming languages. She remarks on how programming reflects the creator's thinking and style.  
- **Encouragement for Others:**  
  Concluding her talk, Lena encourages attendees to consider creating their own programming languages, emphasizing that anyone with ideas can contribute to the development of new languages.

Lena's talk illustrates the creative and personal aspects of programming language development, ultimately inviting others to embark on their own journeys in language creation.

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