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define-syntax vs define-macro

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-12 22:14

What is the point of define-syntax if define-macro exists?
Sure, the pattern matching of syntax-rules is fun and all but it can easily be implemented on top of normal macros too.

I think that syntax-based macros suck, they add useless complexity without giving anything back.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-12 23:40

You get hygiene for free without messing with gensyms.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-13 4:28

>>2
Well, for ``free''. Complexity is a cost as well.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-13 7:37

>>3
but it adds complexity to the compiler, not to your program. I'd argue that pattern-matching macros are easier to read than a hand-rolled implementation over normal macros, so it's not a cost specificly for your program

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-13 10:32

get hygiene for free
Lispers don't know what hygiene is...

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-13 11:41

>>2
Sometimes you don't want hygiene, but when you do it is trivial anyway.

>>4
It adds unnecessary complexity to the whole language, something which is actually bad.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-13 15:37

>>5
SUSSMAN looks pretty suave and fresh for his age, though.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-18 5:45

>>1 here, I suck dicks. syntax-case is now my new wife.
Heck, you don't even need syntax-case, you can just do (define-syntax penis (lambda (stx) ...)) and play with that.

Name: Anonymous 2017-12-18 22:00

>>8
G_d bless.

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