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Types don’t affect runtime performance unless you’re changing the algorithm. Maybe you’re arguing that correctly annotating certain algorithms is harder than switching to a slower but easier-to-annotate algorithm, but I’m very skeptical of this, especially since (in my experience) well-typed programs seem to be more efficient (easier for the compiler to optimize types that don’t change at runtime than those that do).


I wasn't talking about runtime performance at all. I was talking about coding speed. (I don't think the commenters before me were talking about runtime performance either? Did I misunderstand?)


I interpreted this as a comment about runtime performance:

> Try vanilla Node/JS if you want a faster Rails.

Understanding now that you meant development velocity (or whichever term), I contest that static typing is in impediment in general, but rather that it's an impediment for people who aren't used to it. Especially for those who don't care if their code is correct or if it only appears to be correct superficially, although someone will inevitably (and authoritatively) drag out some decades-old study which finds no significant benefit to static typing when comparing Python/Lisp to C++89/Java or something.




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