[Chicago] Better than Python?

[John Jacobsen]

I know I'll get jumped on here, and I'm not suggesting it as a  
replacement for Python, but I personally have an affection for Lisp,  
primarily because of the macro feature - that you can use the  
language itself to define new language constructs.  I have not seen  
this feature in any other language (C/C++ preprocessor macros are  
laughably feeble compared to real Lisp macros).  Since Lisp macros  
yield compiled code, they are often blazingly fast as well.

Python and ancestors have already borrowed heavily from Lisp (loose  
typing, garbage collection), but having played around with Lisp, I  
miss the power of macros when writing Python (which I otherwise  
absolutely love because of the library support and readability of the  
language).

I would like to see a language with Python's readability and library  
support, with the speed(*) and expressive power of Lisp added in.

John
(*)http://www.norvig.com/python-lisp.html

On Apr 11, 2008, at 2:51 PM, Mike Kramlich wrote:
> First let me say I love Python and think it's well-designed,
> practical, clear, flexible, chocolate-tasting, etc., and it's my
> default language for hammering nails.
>
> That out of the way, I wanted to throw out a question to the list that
> I've been wondering about. Does anyone have their eye on any other
> language to sort of potentially maybe one day replace Python in their
> toolbox. I'm not interested in special-purpose tools that could outdo
> Python in one specific area, but rather, something general enough that
> means it could be your next big all-purpose Hammer.
>
> Bonus points if it's not associated with Microsoft, and doesn't
> require you to end code blocks with "end". :)
>
> Mike Kramlich
> ZodLogic Games
> http://zodlogic.webfactional.com
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John Jacobsen
NPX Designs, Inc.

Contact info: http://www.npxdesigns.com/contact.html