merits of Lisp vs Python

[George Sakkis]

Bill Atkins wrote:

> greg <greg at cosc.canterbury.ac.nz> writes:
>
> > When moving a set of statements in Python, you
> > are usually selecting a set of complete lines,
> > cutting them out and then pasting them in
> > between two other lines somewhere else.
>
> You're missing Ken's point, which is that in Lisp an s-expression
> represents a single concept - I can cut out the second form of an IF
> and know that I'm cutting the entire test-form.  I don't have to
> choose the correct "set of complete lines" to correctly move code
> around.

Why is selecting a valid s-expression easier than selecting a python
block ? If you mistakenly select an extra parenthesis or omit one, it's
the same thing. Having said that, I find this problem is mostly
academic in both languages with modern editors... there are less
trivial excuses to keep the flamewar raging ;-)

George