From: Logan Capaldo <logancapaldo@...>
Date: 2006-08-29T05:36:26+09:00
Subject: Re: Need - macros feature


On Aug 28, 2006, at 2:53 PM, Phil Tomson wrote:

>>
>> Maybe if you can come up with a less trivial example, you can stump
>> us, but I doubt it.
>>
>
> While Ruby's metaprogramming facilities are indeed powerful, they
> still don't allow you to change the syntax of the language as Lisp
> macros allow.  So, for example, if I wanted to define a new operator
> := for assignment semantics I can't do that with metaprogramming, but
> if Ruby had Lisp-like macros it would be possible.
>
>
> Phil
>

Yes I know, which is why I said (almost). OTOH Lisp macros letting  
you change the syntax is sort of a red herring, since all lisp syntax  
looks the same anyway ;-)