wxPython and macros (was: Why don't people like lisp?

Tayss tayss_temp at yahoo.com
Sun Oct 26 22:04:18 EST 2003


Whoa, I bow to your ability to start endless threads.  

I just started drinking something when I came across this, so let me
just recap a few things, because I sense you pushed me out of context:
- Lulu inspired me to think about the nature of languages, and I
thought it was worth pointing out that frameworks were like verbose
languages.  So it's not like macros are the unique evil.

- Any well-designed language with macros will have tools to help you
deal with them.  Macros are after all just another tool to help you
manage complexity.

- My audience was those curious few following the thread, not the
Pythonista skimming usenet for good tips on daily work.  So I'm kinda
wondering if they're angry all these threads are shoved in their
faces.  I'm not out to convince, just entertain thoughts.

- I experiment.  Python/wxPython was the right choice for the project,
but sometimes the soul aches for Lisp's ability to bend reality.  With
Python, I can often shorten distances while running.  With Lisp, I can
make reality seep into cracks and bend it around me.  Maybe that's the
alcohol talking.

So when I'm coding along and a framework rubs up against me and I
wonder if it's not so maintainable, I start considering whether
there's a way to fix things.  I spend a couple minutes looking at
alternate ways to express myself, and no matter if I drop or keep it,
I've learned something.  Whether or not I have good taste is something
else; if I have bad taste you can bet I've been making bad decisions
with every other mechanism I can get my hands on.  (Object-oriented
programming!)


-- Tayssir




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