A Simple Case for Lisp Parenthesis
----------------------------------
Tue Nov 29 23:12:42 EST 2022

I was reading the Functions chapter of Crafting Interpreters
today and was struck by the ugliness of chained function
calls:

  foo()()

This presumably calls `foo`, then calls the function foo
returns.

While it is arguable that it's maybe too subtle, the lisp
equivalent is definitely easier on the eyes:

 ((foo))

Of course, the real power of lisp parenthesis is the fact that
by reducing the syntax to.. a lack of syntax (code is data),
it's easy to write metaprograms (code that writes code
(also called macros)).

But I think sometimes it's easier to appeal to aesthetics than
power. Which would you prefer?

 bar(foo(1, 2)(5), baz(2))(5)

 ((bar ((foo 1 2) 5) (baz 2)) 5)

Or even better:

 ((bar ((foo 1 2) 5)
       (baz 2))
  5)

Maybe I've just been reading too many books on Scheme :)

You are viewing proxied material from alexkarle.com. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.