All Questions
16 questions
12votes
1answer
2kviews
What practical problem results from lack of hygienic macros in Clojure?
I've heard that Clojure macros are easier to write but not as reliable as Racket's hygienic macros. My question has 2 parts: How does gensym differ from hygienic macros? What do Racket macros provide ...
- 284
3votes
3answers
2kviews
Lisp/Clojure: Removing unnecessary parentheses through conventions
I am fascinated to Lisp as it is simple yet powerful. I am just a beginner and I know there have been lots of discussions on removing parentheses from Lisp and its dialects. Yet I request Lisp ninja's ...
- 143
20votes
5answers
5kviews
Python decorators and Lisp macros
When looking Python decorators someone made the statement, that they are as powerful as Lisp macros (particularly Clojure). Looking at the examples given in PEP 318 it looks to me as if they are just ...
- 979
13votes
2answers
4kviews
Could we build a functional computer?
As mush as FP has done, in the end, all our programs are structured. That is, it doesn't matter how pure or functional we make a them - they are always translated to assembly, so what actually runs ...
- 5,850
14votes
2answers
5kviews
Are square brackets and curly braces in Clojure still S-expressions?
I am trying to learn Lisp and looking at all the Lisps out there and their differences. I see that in some implementations of Scheme, you can use square brackets interchangeably with round brackets ...
27votes
5answers
12kviews
In what programming language did "let" first appear?
I was wondering about the origins of the "let" used in Lisp, Clojure, and Haskell. Does anyone know which language it appeared in first?
- 465
4votes
4answers
3kviews
What are the practical benefits of LISP like syntax which Clojure uses over Java like syntax of Scala?
I spent couple of months learning Scala and got overwhelmed by number of different constructs it had, After looking at partial functions, partially-applied functions, pattern matching, actor syntax, I ...
- 2,035
11votes
3answers
1kviews
Byte code weaving vs Lisp macros
I have been reading about the libraries people have written for languages like Java and C# that make use of byte code weaving to do things like intercept function calls, insert logging code, etc. I ...
- 1,611
5votes
2answers
344views
Can the Clojure set and maps syntax be added to other Lisp dialects?
In addition to create list using parentheses, Clojure allows to create vectors using [ ], maps using { } and sets using #{ }. Lisp is always said to be a very extensible language in which you can ...
- 1,067
5votes
2answers
2kviews
What is a dotted pair's analogy in other Lisp implementations?
What is Scheme's dotted pair construct analogous to in other Lisp implementations? I can make a vector or list quite easily, and understand those in Clojure, even though the syntax is a little ...
32votes
13answers
2kviews
Problems (such as maintenance) in development with unpopular language
I'm developing some application with clojure(lisp) alone in my team. It starts as small application. No problem. But as it's having features and extending the area, it's becoming important program. I ...
- 413
8votes
1answer
1kviews
What are the essential Clojure libraries to learn beyond the basics of "core" [closed]
I am teaching myself Clojure. I've started using Leiningen, I'm working on Clojure Koans, plan to do LabREPL next, and will have a look at Noir. My question is: what are the essential "must know" ...
- 367
26votes
3answers
11kviews
On the path to Enlightenment: Scheme, Common Lisp, Clojure? [closed]
A lot of people smarter than me keep writing about when you learn Lisp it makes you a better programmer because you "get it". Maybe all I hear about Lisp(s) changing your life is just a big practical ...
- 369
30votes
5answers
6kviews
Why does the Lisp community prefer to accumulate all the parentheses at the end of the function?
Why does the Lisp community prefer to accumulate all the parentheses at the end of the function: (defn defer-expensive [cheap expensive] (if-let [good-enough (force cheap)] good-enough (...
- 4,553
37votes
7answers
5kviews
C# Dev - I've tried Lisps, but I don't get it [closed]
After a few months of learning about and playing with Lisp, both CL and a bit of Clojure, I'm still not seeing a compelling reason to write anything in it instead of C#. I would really like some ...
Jonathan Mitchem
