4 ms·

This laundry list of features still does not tell me why I should be using clojure over any other language.

lbj 6y ago
Well, thats true but its implied. The entire syntax for Clojure fits in a single line. Its easier to learn and being as expressive as it is, the core idioms are quickly picked up as well. So - You can get into it quickly, very quickly if you're already familiar with FP. The brevity of the code means that you'll produce much more robust code, which takes up a lot less screen real-estate. This allows you to grasp the functionality of any code you read, very quickly and start working on the problem. It'll go as fast as Java, but slower than C/Rust. For some performance oriented tasks, you'll have to put in more work than makes sense, to get the performance you want. But for 99% of the Apps that are being written, Clojure will perform just fine and you'll end up with better code. Compared to Haskell or most other FPs (not F#) you get the added benefit of being on the JVM. Write once, run everywhere. Huge libs to do everything from 3d graphics to webserving. In most cases, I use Clojure for the above reasons summed up in this one sentence: I makes me more effective than the alternative. ps: Having enjoyed Lisps for 20 years or so, Ive never used Par-Edit :)
- cutler 6y ago
  Clojure is nowhere near the speed of Java. That functional abstraction layer has to be paid for.
- p0nce 6y ago
  > The entire syntax for Clojure fits in a single line. But some of us absolutely don't like this syntax. The small bits of Java in the article are very readable in comparison.
  - jhomedall 6y ago
    Nobody likes Lisp syntax initially. That goes away after working with it for a short while.
    - oblio 6y ago
      I guess that's a hurdle the vast majority of developers never cross :-)
    - p0nce 6y ago
      I didn't say the dislike was deserved! But there is a "norm" and to depart from it you need to bring something very valuable.
  - keymone 6y ago
    There’s a balance to be struck between conciseness and readability. Don’t be terse as APL and don’t be as verbose as Java. Clojure hits the sweet spot for me, it’s subjective ofc.
    - lbj 6y ago
      I agree. Although J has always had a certain pull on me :)
  - G4BB3R 6y ago
    I disliked the syntax, but was very curious why lots of devs were fascinated by it. Started to study Lisp/Clojure in 2015 and used more and more, and nowadays I love it.
didibus 6y ago
I use Clojure because I find it more more fun and interesting to program in. As a bonus, it happens to also be practical, robust, productive and safe; with great tooling, a huge ecosystem, reach to the browser, server, command line, and desktop/mobile, good performance, good scale, and an awesome community.

lbj 6y ago

Well, thats true but its implied. The entire syntax for Clojure fits in a single line. Its easier to learn and being as expressive as it is, the core idioms are quickly picked up as well. So - You can get into it quickly, very quickly if you're already familiar with FP. The brevity of the code means that you'll produce much more robust code, which takes up a lot less screen real-estate. This allows you to grasp the functionality of any code you read, very quickly and start working on the problem. It'll go as fast as Java, but slower than C/Rust. For some performance oriented tasks, you'll have to put in more work than makes sense, to get the performance you want. But for 99% of the Apps that are being written, Clojure will perform just fine and you'll end up with better code. Compared to Haskell or most other FPs (not F#) you get the added benefit of being on the JVM. Write once, run everywhere. Huge libs to do everything from 3d graphics to webserving. In most cases, I use Clojure for the above reasons summed up in this one sentence: I makes me more effective than the alternative. ps: Having enjoyed Lisps for 20 years or so, Ive never used Par-Edit :)

cutler 6y ago
Clojure is nowhere near the speed of Java. That functional abstraction layer has to be paid for.
p0nce 6y ago
> The entire syntax for Clojure fits in a single line. But some of us absolutely don't like this syntax. The small bits of Java in the article are very readable in comparison.
- jhomedall 6y ago
  Nobody likes Lisp syntax initially. That goes away after working with it for a short while.
  - oblio 6y ago
    I guess that's a hurdle the vast majority of developers never cross :-)
  - p0nce 6y ago
    I didn't say the dislike was deserved! But there is a "norm" and to depart from it you need to bring something very valuable.
- keymone 6y ago
  There’s a balance to be struck between conciseness and readability. Don’t be terse as APL and don’t be as verbose as Java. Clojure hits the sweet spot for me, it’s subjective ofc.
  - lbj 6y ago
    I agree. Although J has always had a certain pull on me :)
- G4BB3R 6y ago
  I disliked the syntax, but was very curious why lots of devs were fascinated by it. Started to study Lisp/Clojure in 2015 and used more and more, and nowadays I love it.

didibus 6y ago

I use Clojure because I find it more more fun and interesting to program in. As a bonus, it happens to also be practical, robust, productive and safe; with great tooling, a huge ecosystem, reach to the browser, server, command line, and desktop/mobile, good performance, good scale, and an awesome community.