From: mirian@... (Mirian Crzig Lennox)
Date: 2002-08-27T01:55:45+09:00
Subject: Re: Paul Graham essay on language popularity

On Fri, 23 Aug 2002 20:38:10 +0900, Damon <adamon@mailandnews.com> wrote:
>In this article, Graham writes:
>
>         The latest hot language, Python, is a watered-down Lisp
>         with infix syntax and no macros. A new Lisp would be a
>         natural step in this progression.
>
>Can someone elaborate on this?  I've seen passing references to this
>assertion that Python and Lisp have somewhat related in design and
>principles elsewhere, but did not fully understand the reasons why. 
>Can someone please elaborate on them?

To a true Lisper, the only relationship between Lisp and Python is
the virtual machine inside CMU Common Lisp.

    A student, in hopes of understanding the Lambda-nature, came to
    Greenblatt.  As they spoke a Multics system hacker walked by.  "Is
    it true," asked the student, "that PL/1 has many of the same data
    types as Lisp?"  Almost before the student had finished his
    question, Greenblatt shouted, "FOO!" and hit the student with a
    stick.
			                            -- MIT AI Lab koan

--Mirian