Why should I learn Lisp? [closed]

Answer 1

You could use Clojure today to write tests and scripts on top of the Java VM. While there are other Lisp languages implemented on the JVM, I think Clojure does the best job of integrating with Java.

There are times when the Java language itself gets in the way of writing tests for Java code (including "traditional commercial programming"). (I don't mean that as an indictment of Java -- other languages suffer from the same problem -- but it's a fact. Since the topic, not Java, I won't elaborate. Please feel free to start a new topic if someone wants to discuss it.) Clojure eliminates many of those hindrances.

Answer 2

This is a topic i myself have pondered for a while but I have not really come to a decision, as usual time is the main problem... ;)

And since I can´t find these links sofar in this post i add them for public interest:

Success and Failure story: Lisping at JPL

Really impressive success story: Lisp in use at the Orbitz corporation

Comparison and analysis of whether to use Lisp instead of Java: Lisp as an Alternative to Java

Answer 3

Gimp's Script-Fu is lipsish. That's a photoshop-killer app.

Answer 4

To add to the other answers:

Because the SICP course (the videos are available here) is awesome: teaches you Lisp and a lot more!

Answer 5

Syntax is irrelevant, readability is not!