The infamous "2! = 2" equation creates a perfect divide between two worlds. In mathematics, the factorial operator (!) means "multiply by all positive integers less than or equal to this number" - so 2! equals 2×1=2. Correct! Mathematicians nod in agreement.
But programmers see something entirely different. In code, "!=" is the inequality operator meaning "not equal to." So "2 != 2" is a blatantly false statement that evaluates to false/0/no. The compiler would laugh if it could.
The spacing (or lack thereof) is the silent villain in this syntax tragedy. One tiny space would have prevented this interdisciplinary conflict!