Re: Syntax

salomon@silver.cs.umanitoba.ca writes:
> In any case, infix is more concise than prefix since it usually requires
> fewer parentheses.


This is so for smaller expressions. But some operators can naturally take many
operands. After the third argument (or after the second if the operator is
more than a single character), you start to see a space savings.


        (+ a b) (+ a b c) (+ a b c d)
        a + b a + b + c a + b + c + d


        (<= a b) (<= a b c) (<= a b c d)
        a <= b a <= b <= c a <= b <= c <= d


It's a close call, but without tossing statistics about, I concede the brevity
edge; `usually' is correct. Comprehensibility is affected by so many other
factors besides brevity that it's difficult to make a sweeping statement. My
only comment is Familiarity.


> Many programmers hate LISP, and hate it passionately.


Noted. The vision of many programmers are clouded with poorly-formed
prejudices. I'd wager that the typical exposure is for less than two
weeks in a programming languages survey class as an inexperienced student
who knows Pascal or C. No-one is holding their hand while they struggle
with an unfamiliar language learning an unfamiliar programming style.
This is probably the basis for a lot of negative feelings, which doesn't
reflect the quality of the language.


> These arguments are getting off the topic.
Agreed. Followups are directed to comp.lang.misc.


Regards, [Ag]
--

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