macros vs. functions (was: Re: guile: going the way of DEATH)

Jim Blandy (jimb@red-bean.com)
15 Aug 1998 15:50:19 -0400

> Jim> The function vs. macro debate is an old one between myself
> Jim> and Mark Galassi (gh_'s author). It's not a cut-and-dried
> Jim> decision in all cases, but certain things should definitely
> Jim> be macros. I just need to introduce Mark to the muzzle of my
> Jim> Saturday Night Special, and this'll get straightened out,
> Jim> toute suite.
>
> Is a Saturday Night Special a kind of gun?

I think it's a sawed-off shotgun. My memories of my bank-robbing days
are fading fast; I hardly ever see my parole officer nowadays.

> I still stick to my opinion on functions vs. macros, but I have been
> relenting out of loyalty to you the maintainer: recent one-line
> additions/modifications to gh_ have been implemented with macros,
> much as I hate doing so.

Thanks... done right, I don't think they'll be a problem at all.

> On the other hand, I don't see you taking all of the non-R4RS stuff
> (UNIX calls and all) out of libguile and making it separate, which has
> always been my gripe :-)

Hey, man, it's on the schedule. :)