Why is Python popular, while Lisp and Scheme aren't?

[Pascal Costanza]

Erik Max Francis wrote:
> Pascal Costanza wrote:
> 
>>You're right, but I wanted to avoid to explain the difference between
>>'
>>and #'. These examples are only meant to give a first taste of Lisp.
> 
> Note that for "first tastes," Scheme is probably a better introduction
> (if you're only learning Lisp-like languages for their own sake, that
> is, rather than trying to learn a language skill you want to sell). 
> Scheme doesn't have this distinction between a symbol and the function
> associated with it, so there's no distinction between ' and #'.

...but that results in other problems, like the need for hygienic 
macros, and so on. I rather prefer Common Lisp, because it's much more 
pragmatic IMHO, and I think it's easy to learn as well if you have a 
good tutorial. (And there are several on the web...)


Pascal

-- 
Given any rule, however ‘fundamental’ or ‘necessary’ for science, there 
are always circumstances when it is advisable not only to ignore the 
rule, but to adopt its opposite. - Paul Feyerabend