DSLs for non-programmers are battle-proven. The author dismisses SQL with an anecdote but the simple fact of the matter is that SQL is known and used proficiently by a massive number of non-programmers to get real work done. I guarantee you there are numerous non-programmers that know SQL better than the author, but he met a few guys who aren't so good at it so he thinks nobody else is. Terrible article.
how many time did these "non-programmers" spend on learning SQL ? wouldn't have they learned basic programming skills on languages such as python or ruby during the same time ? The problem with DSL is the S, they are Specific, and trap the "non-programmers" in a non-programming culture. If they want to do something a little different than the DSL is targeted for, they are unable to.
Excel is good example, it is REAL good tool for what it is meant for, but I seen many people doing crazy thing with excel that can be done with very basic python in a dozen of basic statements. Why ? because they people never learned to do other thing than excel sheets, "When you only have a hammer everything looks like a nail".
