Re: Very poor Lisp performance

Joe Marshall wrote:
> Is readability simply a subjective measure, then? If so, and if
> maintainability is about how easily a human can parse it, then
> maintainability is also a subjective measure (and not particularly
> interesting for comparing computer languages).

Yes. Readability and maintainability are inherently subjective. However,
they are both very important when comparing computer languages.

For example, nobody in their right mind would consider writing production
code in Whitespace or Brainf*** because they are clearly less readable and
maintainable, even though it is subjective. That is a clear-cut case, but
with Lisp vs ML it is not so simple, IMHO.

> It seems likely to me that languages that require complex parsers are
> harder for humans to understand as well.

There is unquestionably a huge amount of evidence to the contrary. Most
natural and programming languages have complicated grammars precisely
because it simplifies their use and makes them easier to understand.

Additionally (pun intended), we were all taught operator precedences in
conventional mathematics at a very young age. It seems at best odd and at
worst stupid to disregard this.

--
Dr Jon D Harrop, Flying Frog Consultancy
http://www.ffconsultancy.com
.

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