The blog post demonstrates building a basic Language Server Protocol (LSP) client in Clojure using less than 200 lines of code. It focuses on core functionality, like initializing the language server, sending requests, and handling responses, illustrating how straightforward implementing an LSP client can be. By leveraging Clojure's built-in JSON handling and socket communication capabilities, the author creates a functional client that can send requests like "initialize" and "textDocument/didChange" to an LSP server and process incoming notifications and responses. This minimalistic implementation eschews advanced features and error handling for the sake of clarity and brevity, providing a clear introductory example of LSP client implementation in Clojure.
Ty is a fast, incremental type checker for Python aimed at improving the development experience. It leverages a daemon architecture for quick startup and response times, making it suitable for use as a language server. Ty prioritizes performance and minimal configuration, offering features like autocompletion, error checking, and jump-to-definition within editors. Built using Rust, it interacts with Python via the pyo3 crate, providing a performant bridge between the two languages. Designed with an emphasis on practicality, Ty aims to be an easy-to-use tool that enhances Python development workflows without imposing significant overhead.
Hacker News users generally expressed interest in ty, praising its speed and ease of use compared to other Python type checkers like mypy. Several commenters appreciated the focus on performance, particularly for large codebases. Some highlighted the potential benefits of the language server features for IDE integration. A few users discussed specific features, such as the incremental checking and the handling of type errors, comparing them favorably to existing tools. There were also requests for specific features, like support for older Python versions or integration with certain editors. Overall, the comments reflected a positive reception to ty and its potential to improve the Python development experience.
The blog post details the author's positive experience using the Python Language Server (PyLS) with the Kate text editor. They highlight PyLS's speed and helpful features like code completion, signature hints, and "go to definition," which significantly improve the coding workflow. The post provides clear instructions for installing and configuring PyLS with Kate, emphasizing the ease of setup using the built-in LSP client. The author concludes that this combination offers a lightweight yet powerful Python development environment, praising Kate's responsiveness and PyLS's rich feature set.
Hacker News users generally praised the Kate editor and its LSP integration. Several commenters highlighted Kate's speed and responsiveness, especially compared to VS Code. Some pointed out specific features they appreciated, like its vim-mode and the ability to easily debug plugins. A few users mentioned alternative editors or plugin setups, but the overall sentiment was positive towards Kate as a lightweight yet powerful option for Python development with LSP support. A couple of commenters noted the author's clear writing style and helpful screenshots.
Summary of Comments ( 23 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43955397
Hacker News users discussed the simplicity and elegance of the Clojure LSP client implementation, praising its small size and readability. Several commenters pointed out the power of Clojure's core library and the benefits of using dynamic typing for this kind of project. Some expressed surprise at how much functionality could be achieved in so few lines of code. A few comments also touched on the advantages of nREPL and the potential for extending the code to other languages. The overall sentiment was positive, with many appreciating the author's demonstration of a concise and effective LSP client.
The Hacker News post "LSP client in Clojure in 200 lines of code" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the implementation and the Language Server Protocol (LSP) in general.
Several commenters express admiration for the conciseness and elegance of the Clojure implementation. One user highlights the power of Clojure's core library, suggesting it contributes significantly to the small code size. Another commenter praises the readability and understandability of the code, finding it a refreshing contrast to the complexity often associated with LSP implementations.
Some discussion revolves around the practicality and performance of such a minimal implementation. One commenter questions whether 200 lines are sufficient for a fully functional LSP client, while acknowledging the impressive nature of the achievement. Another user points out that while the core functionality might be implemented in 200 lines, a complete and practical solution would likely require additional code for handling edge cases and specific language features. However, they also acknowledge the value of the minimal implementation as a learning tool and a demonstration of the core concepts.
The conversation also touches upon the broader implications of LSP and its role in editor tooling. One commenter mentions their experience with LSP and expresses appreciation for the protocol's ability to improve the developer experience. Another user raises the issue of LSP server performance, noting that it can sometimes be a bottleneck.
Finally, a few comments delve into language-specific details, comparing Clojure's approach to LSP implementation with other languages. One commenter mentions their experience with implementing an LSP client in a different language, noting the challenges they faced. This comparison further highlights the perceived elegance and efficiency of the Clojure implementation. Another user suggests that Clojure's inherent characteristics make it particularly well-suited for this type of task.