Description #
Lisp (LISt Processing) is one of the oldest high-level programming languages, known for its unique fully parenthesized syntax and powerful features like macros, recursion, and symbolic computation.
History #
Lisp was invented in 1958 by John McCarthy at MIT, originally for artificial intelligence research. It introduced many programming concepts—like tree data structures and garbage collection—and has spawned many dialects, including Common Lisp, Scheme, and Clojure.
Hello World Code #
(print "Hello, World!")How to Run #
Option 1: Online
https://replit.com/languages/commonlisp
Option 2: Local
Install SBCL (Steel Bank Common Lisp):
sudo apt install sbclThen run:
sbcl --script hello.lispKey Concepts #
- Code-as-data (homoiconicity)
- Fully parenthesized prefix notation
- Powerful macro system
- Dynamically typed
- Functional and symbolic computation
- REPL-driven development
- Used in AI, symbolic math, and language design
- Many dialects: Common Lisp, Scheme, Emacs Lisp, Clojure
- Garbage collection included from the beginning
- Extensible and self-hosting
Try It Online #
https://replit.com/languages/commonlisp
Fun Facts #
- Lisp introduced concepts like recursion, dynamic typing, and garbage collection decades before they were mainstream.
- Emacs, a popular text editor, is almost entirely built in a Lisp dialect.
- McCarthy initially designed Lisp as a mathematical notation, not a practical language.
Resources #
Common Lisp Site
SBCL (Lisp Compiler)
Practical Common Lisp Book
GitHub – Awesome Lisp
