https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=86.77.126.236 2026-07-10T19:25:44Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=859:_(&diff=11430 2012-09-06T19:24:27Z

<p>86.77.126.236: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 859<br /> | date = February 11, 2011<br /> | title = (<br /> | image = (.png<br /> | titletext = Brains aside, I wonder how many poorly-written xkcd.com-parsing scripts will break on this title (or ;;&quot;'&lt;nowiki /&gt;'{&lt;&lt;[' this mouseover text.&quot;<br /> | imagesize =<br /> }}<br /> <br /> == Explanation ==<br /> In programming, punctuation is often used to mark sections of code. Paired punctuation marks must always be matched up with a corresponding closing mark, otherwise a so called {{w|Syntax error|syntax error}} occurs. The programming language {{w|Lisp_(programming_language)|Lisp}} (also featured in [[224: Lisp]]) is known for large numbers of nested/paired parentheses.<br /> <br /> It can also be interpreted as a {{w|metaphor}}, which compares the reader with a Lisp {{w|Interpreter (Computing)|interpreter}}. The interpreter looks for the parenthesis until the end of the file, where it eventually halts, and prints out the error. The comic claims that if you read an unmatched parenthesis, you will look for it for the rest of the day too.<br /> <br /> It also refer to this awkward feeling when you see in a text something like an unmached parenthese or a random-placed comma.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> (An unmatched left parenthesis creates an unresolved tension that will stay with you all day.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}</div>

86.77.126.236