David F. Place wrote: > > That, in a nutshell, is Lisp's key strength. It uses the same > > structure for code as for data, which makes it very easy to add new > > language features. > > > > I assume that you refer to `eval' and the fact it operates on conses > and symbols. Beyond the extremely contrived example of a > metacircular interpreter, what are some examples of the benefits of > this feature of lisp? What are some examples of language features > that are easy to add?
Well, to state the obvious, being able to extend or replace the language's syntax and semantics. In particular, being able to do so locally. Probably the most useful consequence is the ability to create new control constructs without being constrained by the existing syntax and semantics (and without having to write your own monadic versions of existing functions). -- Glynn Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________ Haskell-Cafe mailing list Haskell-Cafe@haskell.org http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/haskell-cafe