Wanted opinions regarding the many lisp blocking constructs

gnuist006

unread,

Sep 28, 2002, 3:13:16 PM9/28/02

to

There are many lisp blocking constructs. And recommendations on their
proper use and some rationale or examples from gurus or more experienced
users?

let
let*
prog1
prog2
progn
cond
lambda
defun

Will Deakin

unread,

Sep 28, 2002, 4:06:52 PM9/28/02

to

Uhhh, this really depends on what you want to do! For example: do you
want to bind variable and run some code with the binding in scope? worry
about the order of this binding? define a program block? want to set up
a path of execution based on the value of a variable? or define a
un-named or named function?

For me, programming is a very concrete subject and asking rather woolly
abstract questions about what does function x all means is not the way
to programming enlightenment. It would also be a lot more productive to
write some code and post this for critique and/or as some pointed
questions having lend/beg/borrow/steal/buy a good book or three[1] and
done some basic on common lisp using google.

Sorry to be so cumugeonly but it is all the rage on c.l.l. these days[2].

:(w

[1] I have a couple a top ones in mind.
[2] Also city lost 3-0 at home whilst juve have just stolen a draw from
a seeming solid losing postion thanks to their team mascot l'arbitro.

Fred Gilham

unread,

Sep 29, 2002, 10:48:21 AM9/29/02

to

> There are many lisp blocking constructs. And recommendations on
> their proper use and some rationale or examples from gurus or more
> experienced users?

Read LAMBDA: THE ULTIMATE IMPERATIVE. This will give you some insight
into the semantics of the various `blocking constructs' and perhaps
allow you to answer your own question.

This paper is on line at

ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/0-499/AIM-353.ps

--
Fred Gilham gilham @ csl . sri . com
King Christ, this world is all aleak, / And life preservers there are none,
And waves that only He may walk / Who dared to call Himself a man.
-- e. e. cummings, from Jehovah Buried, Satan Dead

ilias

unread,

Sep 29, 2002, 11:03:32 AM9/29/02

to

Fred Gilham wrote:
>>There are many lisp blocking constructs. And recommendations on
>>their proper use and some rationale or examples from gurus or more
>>experienced users?
>
>
> Read LAMBDA: THE ULTIMATE IMPERATIVE. This will give you some insight
> into the semantics of the various `blocking constructs' and perhaps
> allow you to answer your own question.
>
> This paper is on line at
>
> ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/0-499/AIM-353.ps

or if you prefere pdf:

ftp://publications.ai.mit.edu/ai-publications/pdf/AIM-353.pdf

i'm sorry that i can't give you an summary. i've not assimilate
'lambda', whaterver this is.

Software Scavenger

unread,

Sep 29, 2002, 3:31:08 PM9/29/02

to

ilias <at_...@pontos.net> wrote in message news:<an747d$8oi$1...@usenet.otenet.gr>...

> i'm sorry that i can't give you an summary. i've not assimilate
> 'lambda', whaterver this is.

I'm curious to know if you can translate that word to Greek. I assume
that you, being Greek, know Greek, and can translate English to it.

ilias

unread,

Sep 29, 2002, 3:50:19 PM9/29/02

to

i've just translated "Scavenger" and it is really funny!

lambda in context of programming, i don't know.

lambda:

/\
\
\
/ \ = Small lambda, letter of greek alphabet
/ \
/ \

/\
/ \
/ \ = Big lambda.
/ \
/ \

but i don't know the derivation of the meaning of this letter (from
ancient greece).