Forums

>The "unnatural" structure of computer languages comes from the need for
precise
>unambiguous expression. If models are to become part of mainstream of
biology,
>perhaps it will be important for biologists to express themselves in
precise formal ?
>language... that is - after they learn LISP :) Aneil

I don't believe this for a minute, I personally believe it is possible to
develop a language that is biology friendly but at the same time precise.
Jarnac is pretty simple, I know a lot of biologists who are happy to use it
(and do things with it I never envisaged). Python is another example of a
language that is simple to learn and use, I teach it to completely newbie
biolgists whose only contact with a computer has been email and the
internet.

I do believe there is a need for some kind of extensible non-xml text based
langauge for systems biology, what it is I am not sure, but I'll be
interested to see b when it is released.

Herbert Sauro