A Closed and Common Lisp (2021)

The author reflects on their experience learning Common Lisp while participating in the Advent of Code challenge for 2021. With minimal prior exposure to Lisp, the author found the language to be a refreshing departure from mainstream programming languages, likening it to an alternate computing history. They appreciated Common Lisp's blend of functional and procedural programming styles, noting its support for arrays and looping constructs. The syntax, characterized by extensive use of parentheses and S-expressions, posed some readability challenges but was ultimately manageable. The author highlighted the powerful tooling available, particularly the integration of the REPL with the SLIME editor, which facilitates a smooth coding experience. They also praised the language's ability to return multiple values from functions, a feature that enhances convenience. However, the author expressed some disappointment with the standard library's limitations, suggesting a preference for a more comprehensive built-in library. Despite these drawbacks, they found Common Lisp to be a solid and enjoyable language, recommending it to others, especially Emacs users. The author concluded that they are likely to use Common Lisp for future personal projects.

- The author enjoyed learning Common Lisp, finding it a unique programming experience.

- Common Lisp effectively combines functional and procedural programming styles.

- The extensive use of parentheses in syntax can hinder readability but is manageable.

- The integration of REPL with SLIME enhances the coding experience significantly.

- The standard library's limitations were noted, but the author still found Common Lisp compelling.