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Lisp is perhaps the most powerful language there is. But no language is 'too powerful' considering the software that is being built today. It has not enjoyed co

by hrish2006 14y ago

Lisp is perhaps the most powerful language there is. But no language is 'too powerful' considering the software that is being built today. It has not enjoyed commercial success because it gained reputation as an inefficient language and the average programmer cannot become proficient in it unless he has a certain amount of discipline and learning he is prepared to invest. C and C++ are much easier to learn and are taught more in colleges. So the reason lisp isn't popular is because people are not learning it. And even those who learn it have less opportunities to use it because of the C, C++ and Java legacy.

jeffdavis 14y ago
It seems that you are cherry-picking. Lots of "inefficient" languages that were never taught in schools have gained incredible ground -- consider python, ruby, perl, and PHP.
- hrish2006 13y ago
  On the contrary, all of those are being taught in schools python is now being taught at introductory classes in MIT, Cal and Stanford to name some. Ruby and PHP are taught too. At lest in grad school. Don't forget the private turoring and certification programs you can enroll in. I have not seen a single certification course that involves Lisp. Also, consider the ages of those languages. Lisp has been around for more than 50 years now. The others are not even half its age.
- deleted 13y ago
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