I use Python with a REPL in Emacs, it's relatively similar. The two important differences to Lisps I see: 1. Syntax. It's a bit easier to just evaluate a symbo

I use Python with a REPL in Emacs, it's relatively similar. The two important differences to Lisps I see: 1. Syntax. It's a bit easier to just evaluate a symbolic expression (put in a simplified manner: anything enclosed by parentheses) than to select a region of Python code to evaluate. But it's no major issue. Don't know about any syntax that has similar properties, Ruby seems to be somewhat similar in spirit, every expression returning an object. Python OTOH has all kinds of constructs you can't evaluate readily. 2. Functional code. Lisp code is generally largely side effect free, Python is not. That goes from the libraries down to how you write your own code by convention. Evaluating code without side effects for quick feedback is a breeze. For side effect riddled code, it's kinda easier to just use unit tests with mocks etc. for that. There are lots of languages with good functional libraries nowadays. Generally speaking, the things you list are what used to be unique about Lisp. But apart from the two points I'm making, I don't believe that's the case anymore. Lots of languages got inspired in the last few decades. I love Lisps and I wish I could use them more, but I'm happy lots of popular languages got reasonably close.