What is Expressiveness in a Computer Language

[Andreas Rossberg]

Marshall wrote:
> 
> While we're on the topic of terminology, here's a pet peeve of
> mine: "immutable variable."
> 
> immutable = can't change
> vary-able = can change
> 
> Clearly a contradiction in terms.
> 
> If you have a named value that cannot be updated, it makes
> no sense to call it "variable" since it isn't *able* to *vary.*
> Let's call it a named constant.

The name of a function argument is a variable. Its denotation changes 
between calls. Still it cannot be mutated. Likewise, local "constants" 
depending on an argument are not constant.

- Andreas