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

[Kenny Tilton]

Alex Martelli wrote:
> Macros let you design a different language on top of whatever language
> you have (that supports full-power macros).  That's my major beef with
> them,...

different bad, additional good. :) ie, don't use macros to come up with 
a better keyword than IF, use it to add something new to the language.

My Cells project does sick things with CLOS, and all with a couple of 
macros. Instead of DEFCLASS I have DEFMODEL which does a ton of stuff 
with which the user /really/ need not be concerned. But without macros I 
either have to buy a Lisp vendor and change the language, or cut and 
paste huge wadges of internal wiring to make a new class, carefully 
working through it changing all FOOs to BARs.

Well, tell you what, if I manage to port Cells to Python we'll be able 
to compare. Possibly some cool Python feature will offset the loss of 
macros. Metaclasses?


-- 

  kenny tilton
  clinisys, inc
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
""Well, I've wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, Doctor,
   and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it.""
                                                   Elwood P. Dowd