[plt-scheme] circular definitions

On Jul 20, 2009, at 9:23 AM, Keiko Nakata wrote:

> Hello.
> What is the motivation to treat circular definitions differently
> between top-level definitions and local letrec's?
> I mean:
>
> ;This causes an error immediately.
> (define x0 x0)
>

One could argue that the following two are (unreported) errors due to  
an overly accommodating syntax. -- Matthias

p.s. Try this in HtDP/Intermediate:

(define x (local ((define x x)) x))


> ;This does not cause an error.
> (define x1 (letrec ([tmp tmp]) tmp))
>
> ;This does not cause an error too.
> (define-signature u^ (x2))
> (define-unit u@ (import) (export u^) (define x2 x2))
> (define-values/invoke-unit/infer u@)
>
> The third example particularly motivated me to think about why the
> different treatment is necessary/preferable in respect of the
> implementation and the language design.
>
> Best,
> Keiko
>
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