I'm an experienced programmer who's worked with various languages over the decades, including Algol 68, Fortran, C++, and more. I'm interested in learning Lisp purely for personal enrichment—I'm looking to gain insights that could improve my skills in other languages. As I'll be retiring soon and want to engage in Open Source projects as a hobby, I'm curious about which version of Lisp would be best to learn. Should I go for Common Lisp, a modern option like Clojure, or perhaps Scheme/Racket, given that its scoping is more aligned with modern languages? I want something that offers a different perspective from my usual arsenal.
3 Answers
If you're leaning towards modern programming paradigms, then Clojure might be the way to go. It’s not just modern; it's an entry into functional programming which is a refreshing change. Plus, you'll discover a lot more than you expect about Lisp itself once you get into it!
I'm a fan of Common Lisp too, particularly using SBCL. There are also great Scheme options like MIT, Guile, and Chicken. Racket has developed its own identity and is worth checking out as well, but I find Clojure appealing too, though its tie to Java doesn't work for me personally.
If you're just looking for a fun experience, I'd recommend diving into Common Lisp! It's a great starting point and has a rich history.
Haha, can’t wait! Sounds like I’ll end up using Lisp more than I thought!