Ask HN: Designing a Parenscript alternative

13 points

16 years ago

Several projects already exist which compile established dialects of Lisp into JavaScript, including Parenscript [1], Scriptjure [2], Scheme2Js [3] and ArcScript [4]. I'm trying to determine if there'd be value in creating a new little Lisp dialect specifically designed for compiling into JavaScript. The goal would be to end up with something like CoffeeScript [5], only s-expression based so that Lisp-style macros could be supported.

I've started designing the language following this general process:

1. Imagine what JavaScript would look like if it were composed of s-expressions rather than C-style syntax

2. Permit irregularities where it would be a convenience boon to everyday JavaScript coding

I will post example code in the comment thread, and feedback is very welcome. Do you think this project has potential, and would you consider using it? Do you have any advice about writing or hosting the compiler?

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[1] http://common-lisp.net/project/parenscript/

[2] https://github.com/arohner/scriptjure

[3] http://www-sop.inria.fr/indes/scheme2js/

[4] http://evanrmurphy.com:8080/arc2js

[5] http://jashkenas.github.com/coffee-script/

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