Re: [dev] [OT]: Go programming language

I think part of what makes Lisp "elegant" and "clean" is the simplicity of
its grammar. It has the shortest and simplest grammar of all the major
programming languages.

Here is C++'s grammar: http://www.csci.csusb.edu/dick/c++std/cd2/gram.html
Here is Lisp's grammar:
http://www.devincook.com/goldparser/doc/meta-language/grammar-LISP.htm

Granted C++ is a beast but even C has a huge grammar compared to Lisp. Of
course, that simplicity comes at a price - using the same token
(parenthesis) for everything, RPN, etc. although not everyone sees that as a
downside.

-Niki Yoshiuchi

On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 10:32 AM, Aled Gest <himselfe_AT_gmail.com> wrote:

> 2009/11/12 markus schnalke <meillo_AT_marmaro.de>:
> > Remember: ``Unix is simple. It just takes a genius to understand its
> > simplicity.'' (dmr)
>
> Not quite sure what point you're trying to make here. Unix has a nice
> philosophy, there are plenty of poor implementations of that
> philosophy though. If you're suggesting that Lisp has a nice
> philosophy, I'm suggesting that in my mind it's a poor implementation
> of that philosophy.
>
> > Isn't that great? It's like ``everything's a file''.
>
> Not really. I don't like having forced polish notation for everything,
> if I did I'd just write everything in ASM.
>
> > You mean: It has a not so strange/different syntax.
>
> No I mean TCL has a similar concept with lists but implements it with
> (in my mind) a nicer syntax. Trying to put words into my mouth isn't
> going to change reality.
>
> > My motivation to post in this thread was to point you to a language
> > that will enhance your view in this discussion.
>
> Well you've failed in that attempt. I just don't see anything special
> about Lisp. You can fallaciously assume that that has something to do
> with a lack of understanding on my part, and you might even be right,
> but until you point out what makes Lisp have a cleaner and more
> logical syntax than C, I just don't see it.
>
> Don't get me wrong, there are improvements that could be made to the C
> syntax, I just don't see that any of them would come from the Lisp
> syntax.
>
>
Received on Thu Nov 12 2009 - 15:37:24 UTC