Editing Learning curve (section)

==="Steep learning curve"===
The expression "steep learning curve" is used with opposite meanings. Most sources, including the ''[[Oxford Dictionary of English]]'', the ''[[American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language]]'', and ''[[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary]]'', define a learning curve as the rate at which skill is acquired, so a steep increase would mean a quick increment of skill.<ref name="surg" /><ref name="grammarphobia">{{cite web |title=Steep learning curves |url=http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2009/07/steep-learning-curves.html |date=2009-07-16}}</ref>
However, the term is often used in common English with the meaning of a difficult initial learning process.<ref name="zimmer" /><ref name="grammarphobia"/>

The common English usage aligns with a metaphorical interpretation of the learning curve as a hill to climb. (A steeper hill is initially hard, while a gentle slope is less strainful, though sometimes rather tedious. Accordingly, the shape of the curve (hill) may not indicate the total amount of [[work (physics)|work]] required. Instead, it can be understood as a matter of preference related to ambition, personality and learning style.)

<gallery class="center" widths="270" heights="180" style="line-height:130%">
File:Alanf777 Lcd fig08.png|Short and long learning curves
File:Alanf777 Lcd fig09.png|Product A has lower functionality and a short learning curve. Product B has greater functionality but takes longer to learn.
</gallery>
The term ''learning curve'' with meanings of ''easy'' and ''difficult'' can be described with adjectives like ''short'' and ''long'' rather than ''shallow'' and ''steep''.<ref name="surg" /> If two products have similar functionality then the one with a "steep" curve is probably better, because it can be learned in a shorter time. On the other hand, if two products have different functionality, then one with a ''short'' curve (a short time to learn) and limited functionality may not be as good as one with a ''long'' curve (a long time to learn) and greater functionality.

For example, the Windows program [[Notepad (Windows)|Notepad]] is extremely simple to learn, but offers little after this. At the other extreme is the UNIX terminal editor [[Vim (text editor)|vi or Vim]], which is difficult to learn, but offers a wide array of features after the user has learned how to use it.