From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!cmcl2!philabs!sdcsvax!taylor
Newsgroups: net.lang,net.lang.lisp
Title: Re: LISP criticism
Article-I.D.: sdcsvax.139
Posted: Sat Apr 23 12:07:31 1983
Received: Mon Apr 25 19:51:01 1983
References: rlgvax.250 brunix.2334


	With all due respect to the criticism that there are a number
of 'flavors' (pardon the semi-pun) of LISP, I think that the criticism
still holds a whole lotta truth;  I mean, because Berkeley Pascal has
no strings (only 'alfa') and UCSD Pascal has, does that mean that to
make a criticism of Pascal I have to specify which dialect???

	I don't think so.  If it comes down to it, I suspect that the
PROGRAMMING STYLE of the user is the most significant distinction
between dialects, and that the dialects themselves don't mean a whole
lot!

	As for the criticisms themselves, I think that the shrewd
observer will find that we have been discussing 1) the advantages
and disadvantages of various programming/system languages and 2)
the environment that promotes good programming.  This does NOT mean
that we have been discussing that "gee, Franz Lisp sure has s--tty
hooks into the UNIX* OS, compared to CP/M LISP and it's hooks into
CP/M**"  (Don't flame about there not being a CP/M LISP...)

	I hope that this group will remain a forum for valid and
constructive (and supported!!) comments and criticism of (net.) lang(s)!

	Opposing comments (almost un-)welcome.

			-- Dave Taylor

			..sdcsvax!taylor

*  UNIX is a trademark of Guess Who!!!
** CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Inc.