Magic Programming / Spell Inventing / Potter Anagram / Cho

[tex23236]

No: HPFGUIDX 36155

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Ronald Rae Yu <ickle_ronniekins at y...>
wrote:
> (Computer programmers, hear!)
> 
> I've been thinking: how do wizards make up such
> magical stuff like marauder maps (ok, doesn't sound
> right), canary creams, self-stirring cauldrons, erised
> mirrors (er...), Weasley clocks, and diggory badges?

JKR tells us the kids study the "theory" of magic.  Herm tells Harry
to study the theory of accio. Unfortunately, JKR doesn't tell us any
of the theory.  But then, if she did, HP would be science fiction 
and not fantasy.  Imagine wizards discussing science fiction and
wondering how Muggles make up stuff like GUI's, printer drivers,
mice that snap icons, rocket engines, etc..  They would conclude the 
whole this is fansatsy!

> We know the existence of spells - I imagine, to make a
> magical object, you need to sort of 'program' a series
> of spells and actions on some object.
> Maybe they dictate it or
> something. Thoughts on this?
> 
They maay using a system like forth or LISP, to build a big spell
with many little ones.  Call them spellunks. Then, perhaps the
veritas serum shares many spellunks with Imperio. Somebody
recently posted something to the effect that ABRA CADABRA was
a medical spell, so the AK curse might share spellunks with it. 
Rather like the judicial system looking to doctors to come up with
formulations for lethal injections.

Spells don't seem to be sequential, most of the time, so the 
programming would happen in the same cycle.  But you wouldn't 
be doing sequential code, either.  Maybe something like a spread
sheet.

> Also, Hagrid told something about wizards' not having
> invented a spell [our] Hermione can do. How do they
> invent spells, and how do they make it universal? The
> actual question is: Are spells invented? Don't all of
> them exist all along, with the latin language already
> present? (I don't know about 'stupefy' but you get the
> point) I wouldn't call them 'invented' but 'first
> used' by someone. Well...?

Egyptian wizards used spells before there was Latin.  The spells 
must certainly involve some mental process which is aided by the
incantation and the wand-waving.  I suspect the Hogwarts kids 
spend a lot of time meditating, i.e. practicing the mental process
required.  But we are only told to "think happy thoughts," or to
imagine something funny, to give us a hint.  I hate to think what 
kind of thoughts is required for AK.

As for the invention of spells, I guess magical history parallels 
the history of technology -- part accident, part brilliant insight.
So, Neville may someday invent a wonderful new potion.

The Riddle Diary and the Marauders map are interesting in that
they could both pass for AI in a science fiction story.  Of course 
the Marauders would have needed to hack the castle's security and
surveillance systems.

Tex,
the Ravenclaw Maverick