I went to a talk by Neal Gafter at JavaPolis on Neal's proposal for closures in Java and saw some happy code. The syntax that Neal is currently proposing can sometimes result in a ":)", which, as Sun's John Rose noted, is a smiley in the code.

Let's call this emoticode: the ability for code to express itself emotionally.

Completely ignoring any relevant discussion about syntax options, semantics, or even closures themselves, I just wanted to voice my support for emoticode. Far too long have we labored with languages which have no inherent emotion. The characters just sit there passively in our editor, staring dully back at us, having nothing more to say than what the compiler tells them they can. Now, through new language syntax, we can see whole new language patterns developing where code can be much more expressive. Code can smile at us, or frown, or wink, or laugh, or do any of the many, wonderful things that emoticons can do in the trite emails and IM messages that we receive from friends.

Finally, we can finally have a meaningful relationship with the code we write.

Perhaps we need more language features that specifically target emoticode. Maybe we can flag bug patterns through emoticode syntax. Or we can encourage good programming practice through happy expressions. Beginning programmers may fall into patterns that use emoticode that laughs at their developer; this gentle poking fun can help these students learn better coding practices while encouraging them to develop a long and meaningful relationship with the code they write.

Don't just write solid code; write happy code.