Re: Mathematica-like Language Implementation

"Nicolás" <lojedaortiz@interlink.com.ar> writes:
> I am in the course of developing a general purpose system programming
> language for Linux. My original idea of this language was for it to be
> a system programming version of Mathematica's programming language.
> [...]
> Now, I am looking for any kind of advice or help on how to implement
> this kind of language from someone who has used Mathematica.


This may sound discouraging, but it is really intended to indicate the
depth of the problem I think that you are interested in. (I assume
that you are not really trying to invent the next "C"... apologies if
you are.)


Wolfram knew a lot when he wrote Mathematica. Your project is really
going to be to learn something of why what he did is "right" (IMO,
anyway). I have a hardcopy of a transcript of a talk he gave on the
design of Mathematica, and it is very informative. You can probably
find it on the web if you look.


What I believe you will learn is that Mathematica is very closely
based on lisp and CLOS. Learn about those. (Random (and probably not
important) question to consider: "Where are common lisp macros in
Mathematica"?)


This leads to learning about Olin Shivers' scsh, the scheme
shell. (Which is actually probably not as deep of a pool as all of
Common Lisp, and probably a better starting place.)


To end on an optimistic note -- either CL or scsh could be a good
platform to start from if you were interested in doing even more.


/Andrew Mauer-Oats/

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