Re: How to quote a list of functions?

[Emanuel Berg]

John Mastro <john.b.mastro@gmail.com> writes:

> It's true that in Emacs Lisp, unlike in e.g.
> Common Lisp, there's no runtime difference between
> 'foo and #'foo. However, the inspiration to "stop
> and think" is arguably part of the benefit at the
> beginning, because it helps you sharpen your
> intuitive sense of "symbol-as-symbol" vs
> "symbol-as-function".

Why is that distinction as such of any value? I know
a function when I see it, not because of notation, but
because of context and its name, and I value much
higher having the context and name speak to me loud and
clear than putting that explicit with some ugly
notation at that.

For example, indentation is very helpful and should
always and everywhere be used sensibly. So if I believe
that, as a lisper, would I favor doing it the Python
way, having it compulsory? Answer: Of course not.

> Regarding Lispiness, in Common Lisp sharp-quote
> really does do that which we sort of pretend it does
> in Emacs Lisp, so I think it's hard to see how
> observing the distinction in Emacs Lisp could be
> un-Lispy. (Not that Lispiness in itself is an
> argument for anything - just an observation.)

What I mean is, when you come to Lisp from for example
C, it is so nice not having to bother with types with
variables, parameters, return values, all that.
In Lisp, it feels you just solve problems the way you
think, rather than you telling the computer what to do
in terms of the computer itself. (That sounds a bit
exaggerated, and I enjoy C, but it principle it is
not incorrect.) I feel such notation is a way away
from pleasant and relaxed Lisp, and in particular
because I don't see any advantages to it I don't see
why I should use it.

> Anyway, it's clearly a trivial issue, especially in
> the context of "Lisp as Turing-complete
> configuration language". To each their own!

Everything here is trivial, especially in the context
of the age and size of the universe. The only reason
to do it is if you enjoy it.

-- 
underground experts united
http://user.it.uu.se/~embe8573