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There are a lot of reasons to prefer RPN over infix syntax and why Lisp has chosen to adopt this notation. Although, I agree with the critiques of the article,

by Morgawr 12y ago

There are a lot of reasons to prefer RPN over infix syntax and why Lisp has chosen to adopt this notation. Although, I agree with the critiques of the article, it's not really saying much.

bunderbunder 12y ago
RPN is postfix notation. You add 1 and 2 using "1 2 +" Lisp is prefix notation, which is just the opposite.
- mcguire 12y ago
  I just realized that makes Lisp "Polish Notation". I'm sure that opens up some really horrible jokes.
  - bunderbunder 12y ago
    Not quite. If you drop Lisp's variable-arity operators, that enables you to drop the parenthesis. If you drop the parenthesis, that gives you Polish notation. For example: Lisp: (* (+ 1 2 3) (- 4 5) ) Polish: * + + 1 2 3 - 4 5
  - AnimalMuppet 12y ago
    To me, it opened up a really horrible thought: Polish plus Hungarian. Lisp with Hungarian names (shudder).
- Morgawr 12y ago
  You're correct, I brain farted.