[mercury-users] lisp macros

[Ralph Becket]

Peter Schachte, Thursday, 23 May 2002:
> 
> > (2) is a problem, because you can no longer look at code and assume you
> > know what is function application and what isn't
> 
> I don't remember ever finding this a problem, and the benefits are
> large.  If used judiciously, it's a very nice facility.
> 
> Think of it this way:  if you weren't working here, you could never
> have implemented the state thread transformation, or the new @ syntax
> for naming terms or the ^ accessor facility, or .... 

Yes, but we don't want the hoi polloi being able to do that!  If you
make it part of the language then you don't force developers to go
through the traditional syntax war process (my tongue is only half in
cheek on this one.)

- Ralph
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