[racket-dev] P4P: A Syntax Proposal

Sounds like a great idea to me and well worth trying at a larger scale.

One technical question: why not implement this as a reader that
converts things to the usual parenthesized versions of the program and
then, like the at-exp reader, allow people to write

  #lang p4p-exp racket

for the p4p version of 'racket', etc.

(And then start porting interesting looking files in the distribution
and leaving them ported.)

Robby

On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 12:45 PM, Shriram Krishnamurthi <sk at cs.brown.edu> wrote:
> I've been vexed for a while about parenthetical syntax: I love it,
> appreciate what it offers, but also recognize that no amount of
> teaching or arguing alters how people perceive it.  With the switch to
> Racket, and our continuing interest in user interface issues, I
> believe it is wise to consider an optional alternate syntax.
>
> I finally had a breakthrough last weekend on how to create a syntax
> that may be more palateable without losing the essence of
> parenthetical syntax.  As a preview, it does incorporate indentation,
> but in a good way.  You'll see.
>
> Feedback welcome.  The most important is whether you spot any flaws
> regarding predictable parsing.
>
> Here's a *non-permanent* URL where you can learn more:
>
>  http://www.cs.brown.edu/~sk/tmp/P4P/
>
> Shriram
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