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24

The languages are designed like that because the math makes sense. That came first.

Robert Harvey
– Robert Harvey

2013-05-15 19:57:30 +00:00
Commented May 15, 2013 at 19:57
29

@Morwenn, it goes back to the 19th century and George Boole. People have been representing False as 0 and True as !0 for longer than there have been computers.

user4828
– user4828

2013-05-15 20:03:35 +00:00
Commented May 15, 2013 at 20:03
12

I don't see why the math doesn't work the other way if you merely change all of the definitions so that AND is + and OR is *.

Neil G
– Neil G

2013-05-15 21:49:02 +00:00
Commented May 15, 2013 at 21:49
7

Exactly: the math works both ways and the answer to this question seems to be that it is purely conventional.

Neil G
– Neil G

2013-05-15 21:51:00 +00:00
Commented May 15, 2013 at 21:51
7

@Robert It'd be great if you could spell out the "mathematical underpinnings" in your post.

phant0m
– phant0m

2013-05-15 21:59:18 +00:00
Commented May 15, 2013 at 21:59

| Show 17 more comments

Correct minor typos or mistakes
Clarify meaning without changing it
Add related resources or links
Always respect the author’s intent
Don’t use edits to reply to the author

create code fences with backticks ` or tildes ~
```
like so
```
add language identifier to highlight code
```python
def function(foo):
print(foo)
```
put returns between paragraphs
for linebreak add 2 spaces at end
_italic_ or **bold**
indent code by 4 spaces
backtick escapes `like _so_`
quote by placing > at start of line
to make links (use https whenever possible)

<https://example.com>

[example](https://example.com)

<a href="https://example.com">example</a>

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