python list handling and Lisp list handling

[J Kenneth King]

Steven D'Aprano <steve at REMOVE-THIS-cybersource.com.au> writes:

> On Sat, 25 Apr 2009 23:51:18 -0700, namekuseijin wrote:
>
>> On Apr 26, 1:31 am, Steven D'Aprano <st... at REMOVE-THIS-
>> cybersource.com.au> wrote:
>>> On Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:01:10 -0700, Carl Banks wrote:
>>> > That's because Python lists aren't lists.
>>>
>>> Surely you meant to say that Lisp lists aren't lists?
>>>
>>> It-all-depends-on-how-you-define-lists-ly y'rs,
>> 
>> Yeah, the List Processing language got it all wrong by not going with
>> arrays like Python...
>
> Well, Lisp was invented in 1958, before anyone knew how to program *wink*.

And 50+ years of development hasn't taught them anything. :p

Guess you don't know anything about programming unless you're new...

> Seriously though, linked lists are not the only sort of list. That was my 
> point: first define what is a list, and then we can debate what is or 
> isn't a list. Even within linked lists, there are various different 
> types, all with their own strengths and weaknesses: singly-linked lists, 
> doubly-linked lists, circular lists, open lists, xor-lists, lists with or 
> without sentinels, lists with internal and external storage, unrolled 
> linked lists, and combinations of all of the above.

And any sufficiently powerful language would allow the programmer to
adapt to any type they needed. ;)

Interesting topic though.