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> we've like already imported most lisp features into modern languages anyway This makes it sound as if there are no modern lisps. What's the big deal of usin

by rekado 9y ago

> we've like already imported most lisp features into modern languages anyway This makes it sound as if there are no modern lisps. What's the big deal of using a lispy language? Do other languages really need to desperately try to reimplement features that come more naturally to lispy languages? Are parentheses (only the round ones) really that much of a deterrent to motivate excessive work like that? I'm very happy with Guile and Racket.

twblalock 9y ago
Do you use them professionally? It seems to me that very few companies use Lisp-like languages used in production. Even Haskell seems more common. The big deal with using Lispy languages is that companies don't want to use them -- it's a lot easier to hire developers who know other languages. So, I'm stuck with Java whether I like it or not, and I appreciate any functional programming features that can be packed in to new Java releases, even if they end up being a bit clunky.
- Barrin92 9y ago
  this doesn't really seem to be a unique feature of 'lispy' languages because the overwhelming majority of languages does not have wide adoption in the market. The reason why adoption concentrates on a few languages is mostly network effects rather than objective features of the language itself. Maybe it's time for us to think about how to increase the adoption of languages rather than trying to bolt every feature onto java just because there is a lot of java code and devs. We're going to be stuck in a never-ending mess of complication and legacy.
  - erikj 9y ago
    Yeah, Lisp actually used to benefit from network effects between the 60s and the 80s, before the AI winter struck and Lisp was sacrificed as a scapegoat by the industry (MCC and NASA JPL are probably the most well-publicized cases).
- rekado 9y ago
  Yes, I use Guile for work. (But I work in a not-for-profit environment.)
- phyrex 9y ago
  Quite a lot of companies use Clojure professionally though. And you’re in luck, it plays great with Java!

by rekado 9y ago

twblalock 9y ago

Do you use them professionally? It seems to me that very few companies use Lisp-like languages used in production. Even Haskell seems more common. The big deal with using Lispy languages is that companies don't want to use them -- it's a lot easier to hire developers who know other languages. So, I'm stuck with Java whether I like it or not, and I appreciate any functional programming features that can be packed in to new Java releases, even if they end up being a bit clunky.

Barrin92 9y ago
this doesn't really seem to be a unique feature of 'lispy' languages because the overwhelming majority of languages does not have wide adoption in the market. The reason why adoption concentrates on a few languages is mostly network effects rather than objective features of the language itself. Maybe it's time for us to think about how to increase the adoption of languages rather than trying to bolt every feature onto java just because there is a lot of java code and devs. We're going to be stuck in a never-ending mess of complication and legacy.
- erikj 9y ago
  Yeah, Lisp actually used to benefit from network effects between the 60s and the 80s, before the AI winter struck and Lisp was sacrificed as a scapegoat by the industry (MCC and NASA JPL are probably the most well-publicized cases).
rekado 9y ago
Yes, I use Guile for work. (But I work in a not-for-profit environment.)
phyrex 9y ago
Quite a lot of companies use Clojure professionally though. And you’re in luck, it plays great with Java!