(reduce #'- (reverse (list 1 2 3))) You can use: (reduce (function -) (reverse (list 1 2 3))) or (reduce '- (reverse (list 1 2 3))) Then (mapc

(reduce #'- (reverse (list 1 2 3))) You can use: (reduce (function -) (reverse (list 1 2 3))) or (reduce '- (reverse (list 1 2 3))) Then (mapcar #'string-downcase (list "Hello" "world!")) Use: (map 'list #'string-downcase (list "Hello" "world!")) > Make-instance? It's called new in C# and Java which is 3 keystrokes, Slightly advanced users type m - i complete. If you want to call it 'new', then just add 'new'. Common Lisp is extensible. CL-USER 32 > (defclass a () ((b :initarg :b))) #<STANDARD-CLASS A 4020124173> CL-USER 33 > (setf (symbol-function 'new) #'make-instance) #<STANDARD-GENERIC-FUNCTION MAKE-INSTANCE 4100096004> CL-USER 34 > (new 'a :b 10) #<A 4020133143> Hashtables, since Common Lisp is a programmable language, that syntax is user extensible. Example: CL-USER 42 > (defparameter *h* #{(a 5) (c 6) (b 3)}) *H* CL-USER 43 > *h* #{(C 6) (B 3) (A 5)}