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Comment on Ask HN: Why is math so obsessed with ancient syntax and frameworks?

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I agree that this can be frustrating. One of the great benefits of programming languages is that, even though I don't know VisualBasic, for example, I can probably look at the code and know what values the variables represent.

It's very difficult to jump into a new mathematical structure, because very often you have to learn the lexicon from scratch.

I'd say that is because when you see a structure you already understand written in a new language (e.g. VB) yu can use your existing mental model.

But when you meet an entirely new structure, as you say, you are starting from scratch.

It's not about the structure. It's about the sigils. I have no idea what Xi means in the context that it's used, but if it's named in English it's very easy to understand.

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