Compilers and Imposters
In NYC, the landlord is legally responsible for keeping the apartment warm. This often leads to it staying a bit too warm in the colder months. The upside is that I get to crack the window at night and wake up to a nice cool breeze on my face in the morning.
Today I'm thinking about programming languages and imposter syndrome. It's something that I feel like we never talk about in this space.
I work on a compiler in a professional capacity and yet I feel like I don't know anything. I have a BS in CS and have made a few toy compilers over the years but this is the first time I'm working on one for money. My coworkers seem so much smarter than I could ever be.
I don't have an extensive knowledge of type theory. I can't rattle off the specification for lambda calculus from memory. I have to remind myself of set theory notation over and over again. I picked up one book on programming languages (Types and Programming Languages by Benjamin C. Pierce) and was made aware from the intro chapter that I needed to work through another book before I could handle it.
Working on a real compiler is both a dream and a nightmare because I now realize just how shallow I've been swimming so far. It's daunting knowing how much there is to learn. At the same time, I now have a direction to point myself. A guiding star to follow on a path towards more knowledge. I haven't felt that since college and it feels good. I'm sure this will be something I look back on with pride one day.
Wish me luck. I'll do the same for you.