Generic programming is a style of programming that focuses on designing algorithms and data structures that work with different data types, without depending on the specific types. It's a way to write reusable, flexible code that can adapt to different scenarios, kind of like how Facebook tries to be everything to everyone (and fails miserably).

How to use it in a sentence

• I tried to use generic programming to create a sort function that works with any data type, but I ended up with a tangled mess of templates that even I can't understand anymore.

• My coworker keeps bragging about his mastery of generic programming, but I'm pretty sure he just copy-pasted the code from Stack Overflow and changed the variable names.

If you actually want to learn more...

• One Language: Martin Fowler debates whether development efforts should be confined to a single programming language, which could impact the decision to use generic programming techniques.

• Projectional Editing: This article introduces an alternative to traditional source-based programming, where the core system definition is held in a model and edited through projections. This approach could potentially simplify generic programming.

• Why do you keep going on about Lisp?: Paul Graham emphasizes Lisp due to its powerful abstractions and flexibility, which can be difficult to appreciate for those accustomed to other languages. Lisp's features may lend themselves well to generic programming concepts.

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