One of the most under-used programming techniques — Metaprogramming — programming with code generators or writing programs that themselves write code, has many uses in large-scale computer programming. This article shows you some tools needed to do Metaprogramming in Scheme, as well as provide several metaprogramming examples. To determine which problems are best solved with a code-generating programs, take a look at this introduction to Metaprogramming article, which teaches you why metaprogramming is necessary.
The Art of Metaprogramming Using Scheme
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Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
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(I (Really (Really (Hate (Scheme’s (Abusive (Use (of (Parenthesis)))))))))
On a more serious note, Scheme is a very interesting educational language, but I think if you try to use if for something heavier you’ll go insane soon (I did).
(java.IsNotAnother(good.Example())).ifDontLike(Paranthesis()).clone()
Yes Scheme is not necessary the best language for serious big project, but check at common lisp. It is used by Yahoo for their online store and by the American aviation authority for their airline planification system.
Neither Scheme nor Lisp are difficult to understand or to read, unlike languages like Perl or C which are known for their obfuscating ways.
wouldYou (Type *prefer, Class &I) {
Type $use = new Different;
NewType $syntax = Different.a_kind_of?;
}
No thanks.
I find both Scheme and Lisp’s syntaxes to be easy to use.
oh yeah!
import new
class Language:
..def __init__(self):
….print self.__class__
def language_readibility_checker(language):
..if ‘Python’ == language:
….print ‘That’s clear!’
….return new.classobj(‘ClearLang’,(Language,),{})
..elif ‘Perl’ == language:
….print ‘Come on, go away ;-)’
….return new.classobj(‘ObfLang’,(Language,),{})
..else:
….print “No idea what you’re talking about”
….return new.classobj(‘ProbObfLang’,(Language,),{})
MyLanguage = language_readibility_checker(‘Python’)
ml = MyLanguage()
It is used by Yahoo for their online store
No, it is not. Paul Graham/Viaweb wrote the store in LISP, and when Yahoo bought it they subsequently rewrote it in C++ and Perl. You can read about the decision to move from LISP to C++/Perl at:
http://people.csail.mit.edu/gregs/ll1-discuss-archive-html/msg02367…
The LISP family, which Scheme is a part of, is probably the most underrated, yet most powerful programming environment ever. And it’s all due to it’s pure simplicity.