Null is evil. What’s the best alternative? Null.
-
> The first evidence we have of zero is from the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia, some 5,000 years ago. The first recorded zero appeared in Mesopotamia around 3 B.C. The Mayans invented it independently circa 4 A.D. It was later devised in India in the mid-fifth century, spread to Cambodia near the end of the seventh century, and into China and the Islamic countries at the end of the eighth. Zero reached western Europe in the 12th century. ([link](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-origin-of-zer/)) So, we've had 0 for maybe a few thousand years to represent "nothing." And there was quite a bit of kicking and screaming about it, including theological arguments. A good read: [Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea](https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Biography-Dangerous-Charles-Seife/dp/0140296476). Now we have, what, a couple dozen years of experience with null? I say we bring on the theological arguments again -- null cannot exist because it would mean god is not omnipresent, and therefore not god! ;P
Latest Article - Building a Prototype Web-Based Diagramming Tool with SVG and Javascript Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802
-
> The first evidence we have of zero is from the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia, some 5,000 years ago. The first recorded zero appeared in Mesopotamia around 3 B.C. The Mayans invented it independently circa 4 A.D. It was later devised in India in the mid-fifth century, spread to Cambodia near the end of the seventh century, and into China and the Islamic countries at the end of the eighth. Zero reached western Europe in the 12th century. ([link](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-origin-of-zer/)) So, we've had 0 for maybe a few thousand years to represent "nothing." And there was quite a bit of kicking and screaming about it, including theological arguments. A good read: [Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea](https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Biography-Dangerous-Charles-Seife/dp/0140296476). Now we have, what, a couple dozen years of experience with null? I say we bring on the theological arguments again -- null cannot exist because it would mean god is not omnipresent, and therefore not god! ;P
Latest Article - Building a Prototype Web-Based Diagramming Tool with SVG and Javascript Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802
Null exists but is undefined. We’ll call it the god value. :)
-
> The first evidence we have of zero is from the Sumerian culture in Mesopotamia, some 5,000 years ago. The first recorded zero appeared in Mesopotamia around 3 B.C. The Mayans invented it independently circa 4 A.D. It was later devised in India in the mid-fifth century, spread to Cambodia near the end of the seventh century, and into China and the Islamic countries at the end of the eighth. Zero reached western Europe in the 12th century. ([link](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-the-origin-of-zer/)) So, we've had 0 for maybe a few thousand years to represent "nothing." And there was quite a bit of kicking and screaming about it, including theological arguments. A good read: [Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea](https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Biography-Dangerous-Charles-Seife/dp/0140296476). Now we have, what, a couple dozen years of experience with null? I say we bring on the theological arguments again -- null cannot exist because it would mean god is not omnipresent, and therefore not god! ;P
Latest Article - Building a Prototype Web-Based Diagramming Tool with SVG and Javascript Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802
Marc Clifton wrote:
A good read: Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea. Plus the author is famous enough to have the "selfie" named after him, although they mispelled his name on that!
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software