Learning Lisp Fast

10    25 Mar 2017 08:58 by u/effusive_ermine

18 comments

2

I tried Lisp in college, but I'm not good with recursion.

1

So you never learned to perform basic arithmetic on paper? Did they stop teaching that in school?

1

There's more to programming than just basic arithmetic, you know.

-1

Did it never occur to you that the fundamental arithmetic procedures as (they used to be) taught in grade school are in fact recursive functions? Really?

0

Look, I simply made a comment about how I tried Lisp but I wasn't good at it. In your response, you chose to insult my intelligence and question my schooling. Some people, despite being perfectly capable programmers, have trouble working through recursive problems and therefore have difficulty working in Lisp (and similar languages). I happen to be one of those people. I struggle with math sometimes. Does that make me a lesser person? Maybe. Does that mean you need to rub it in my face? Of course not. For fuck's sake, learn some common decency.

Now, to answer your question: No, it never occurred to me because I never had cause to think about it. Also, I don't care. Knowing that basic arithmetic is a set of recursive functions doesn't help me function in day-to-day life in any way, shape, or form.

1

There are some truths about programming which are inescapable. If you don't fully grasp them, your potential as a programmer will be limited by them.

With that, I'll offer you a sincere apology for my failure to recognize my own limitations as a teacher. There's no need for you to think any less of yourself, especially not because of anything I've written in this thread.

0

I thank you for your apology, and I would also like to apologize for treating you in a less-than-respectful manner, since you have been attempting to teach me something with your comments. I have taken back the downvoats I gave some of your previous comments.

Also, it's been a few years since I last looked at Lisp, and I've had a lot of programming experience since then. I may find it less intimidating/confusing/difficult now. After all, it can't hurt to try.

1

I may find it less intimidating/confusing/difficult now. After all, it can't hurt to try

That's the spirit :)

Don't worry about the Voats.

0

Serious question, but is Lisp still actively used?

1

I think most of the programming languages ever made are "actively used" by some definition. From my perspective Lisp recently had a resurgence. I don't know what kind of answer will satisfy you, but here are some links: