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From: Jim Gibson <jimsgibson@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.lang.java.programmer
Subject: Re: refactoring problem
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:20:37 -0800
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In article <e80ad67a-75d7-4794-ab76-b1004a983d1b@googlegroups.com>, Lew
<lewbloch@gmail.com> wrote:

> Silvio wrote:
> > Lew wrote:
> >> Silvio wrote:
> >>> Lew wrote:
> >>>> Silvio wrote:
> >>>>> But as always, tastes will differ.
> > 
> >>>> Well, the decisions as to what actually makes it into Java or not are
> >>>> not made on the basis
> >>>> of taste.
> >>>>
> >>>> Which is arguably the worst of seemingly plausible criteria for
> >>>> inclusion.
> > 
> >>> Well, what where those decisions based on then?
> > 
> >> Engineering considerations. Logic. Estimated utility. Cost of
> >> implementation vs. expected benefit.
> > 
> >>> Something else than the personal taste of a small group of influential
> >>> insiders?
> > 
> >> Yep.
> > 
> > Well, no. I closely followed a number of the discussions about language 
> > additions (among which the endless series of discussions about closures) 
> > and personal preference of a small group of people is definitely a major 
> > factor.
> 
> "Preference" != "taste".

You are splitting hairs. 

From my online dictionary (copyright, Apple, Inc.):

taste:
"a person's tendency to like and dislike certain things"

preference:
"a greater liking for one alternative over another or others"


> > Of course their preferences will have been influenced by such factors 
> > but since these are either subjective or estimates personal opinions 
> > remain important.
> 
> "Opinion" != "taste".

I'll give you that one :)

opinion:
"a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on
fact or knowledge"

-- 
Jim Gibson