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arXiv:1505.07375cs.PL

The Mysteries of Lisp -- I: The Way to S-expression Lisp

Hong-Yi Dai

Abstract

Despite its old age, Lisp remains mysterious to many of its admirers. The mysteries on one hand fascinate the language, on the other hand also obscure it. Following Stoyan but paying attention to what he has neglected or omitted, in this first essay of a series intended to unravel these mysteries, we trace the development of Lisp back to its origin, revealing how the language has evolved into its nowadays look and feel. The insights thus gained will not only enhance existent understanding of the language but also inspires further improvement of it.

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cs.PLProgramming Languages

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Linked by 2 identifiable commenters in 2 comments across 2 threads, from Apr 2022 to Nov 2025. Found in 1 HN submission from Apr 2022 to Apr 2022. Open submission discussions.

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Discussed in comments2 threads

  1. An Algebraic Language for the Manipulation of Symbolic Expressions (1958) [pdf] 1 comment

    • Reposting my now very old comment https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10502434 : > Herbert Stoyan's historical work on early Lisp http://www.mcjones.org/dustydecks/archives/2010/07/29/185/ https://web.archive.org/web/20050617031004/http://www8.infor... is probably worth reading…

      leocView on HNParent context

  2. The Mysteries of Lisp (2015) 1 comment

    • 2015 in the title, 2018 in the linked .pdf file at https://arxiv.org/pdf/1505.07375.pdf If you're going to be OCD about dates, please have them correct.

      gjvcView on HNParent context

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