[Haskell] Re: [Haskell-cafe] Haskell versus Lisp

[Glynn Clements]

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 <glynn at gclements.plus.com>