[Python-Dev] A Hygienic Macro System in Python?

[Guido van Rossum]

> I think I understand why macros work so well with Common Lisp.  In
> Common Lisp, the AST is really a list.  The AST is easy to read and
> write and it's easy to make macros transform it.  That gives Common
> Lisp programmer's an amazing amount of power.  Maybe Guido thinks it
> gives them too much.  Myself, I don't know.  Most of the time you
> don't need macros but when you do you really do.

It's not that I think it gives too much power, but I do think it's
wasted on most users.  An open question is whether it's worth adding
the complexity for the few who would benefit.

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)