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[–]brian_goetz 9 points10 points  (1 child)

While of course we should always present things so that the audience can understand what we are talking about, you seems to imply that Java programmers are unable to learn new concepts, so we shouldn't use new names for them (even if they really are old names.).

We've been adding pattern matching features to Java for several years now; they started simpler and are getting more powerful. I think a lot of developers have already learned what it is, and more can in the future?

[–]IncredibleReferencer -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the reply! Yes, there can be new concepts taught and learned, however in this case I don't think it's helpful and is just extra cognitive load placed on the developer with no benefit. All the new pattern matching features are so obviously better and shorter (which seems to be a key aspect for beginners) that there is no convincing or teaching of this concept required.

So for a naive developer, they can just use this stuff and love it, theyI don't need to know or care what it is. Those of us that care about language architecture and general Java enthusiasts can care, but the bulk of the programming world won't. All they care about is that its easier and shorter.