Python vs. Lisp -- please explain

[Peter Mayne]

Torsten Bronger wrote:
> 
>>>> Another example: is Java the bytecode, which is compiled from
>>>> Java the language, interpreted or not? Even when the HotSpot JIT
>>>> cuts in?
>>> It is partly interpreted and partly compiled.  That's why it's
>>> faster than Python.
>> But Python is partly interpreted and partly compiled too
> 
> It's byte-compiled for a VM, that's not the same, and you know it.

Do you mean that Python is byte-compiled for a VM, and not Java, or 
vice-versa?

> I agree that the distinction between interpreted and compiled
> languages is not as clear as between positiv and negative numbers,
> however, neither anybody has claimed that so far, nor it is
> necessary.  It must be *practical*, i.e. a useful rule of thumb for
> decision making.  If you really know all implications (pros and
> cons) of interpreted languages, it's are very useful rule in my
> opinion.

So what kind of practical decisions are you trying to make? What kind of 
implications are useful to you?

PJDM