Clojure offers a compelling blend of practicality and powerful abstractions. Its Lisp syntax, while initially daunting, promotes code clarity and conciseness once mastered. Immutability by default simplifies reasoning about code and facilitates concurrency, while the dynamic nature allows for rapid prototyping and interactive development. Leveraging the vast Java ecosystem provides stability and performance, and the focus on functional programming principles encourages robust and maintainable applications. Ultimately, Clojure empowers developers to build complex systems with elegance and efficiency.
Parinfer simplifies Lisp code editing by automatically managing parentheses, brackets, and indentation. It offers two modes: "Paren Mode," where indentation dictates structure and Parinfer adjusts parentheses accordingly, and "Indent Mode," where parentheses define the structure and Parinfer corrects indentation. This frees the user from manually tracking matching delimiters, allowing them to focus on the code's logic. Parinfer analyzes the code as you type, instantly propagating changes and offering immediate feedback about structural errors, leading to a more fluid and less error-prone coding experience. It's adaptable to different indentation styles and supports various Lisp dialects.
HN users generally praised Parinfer for making Lisp editing easier, especially for beginners. Several commenters shared positive experiences using it with Clojure, noting improvements in code readability and reduced parenthesis-related errors. Some highlighted its ability to infer parentheses placement based on indentation, simplifying structural editing. A few users discussed its potential applicability to other languages, and at least one pointed out its integration with popular editors. However, some expressed skepticism about its long-term benefits or preference for traditional Lisp editing approaches. A minor point of discussion revolved around the tool's name and how it relates to its functionality.
Summary of Comments ( 28 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43137586
HN commenters generally agree with the author's points on Clojure's strengths, particularly its simple, consistent syntax, powerful data structures, and the benefits of immutability and functional programming for concurrency. Some discuss practical advantages in their own work, citing increased productivity and fewer bugs. A few caution that Clojure's unique features have a learning curve and can make debugging more challenging. Others mention Lisp's historical influence and the powerful REPL as key benefits, while some debate the practicality of Clojure's immutability and the ecosystem's reliance on Java. Several commenters highlight Clojure's suitability for specific domains like data processing and web development. There's also discussion around tooling, with some praise for Clojure's tooling and others mentioning room for improvement.
The Hacker News post "Why Clojure?" with the ID 43137586 has generated a moderate number of comments, discussing various aspects of the language and its ecosystem.
Several commenters focus on the productivity benefits of Clojure. One user highlights the REPL as a key feature enabling faster development cycles and better experimentation. They mention how Clojure's interactive development process allows for quick feedback and iterative refinement, unlike compile-test-debug cycles in other languages. Another commenter emphasizes the power of immutability and functional programming paradigms, explaining how these concepts contribute to simpler code with fewer bugs. This commenter even asserts that they have seen large improvements in code quality and a reduction in code volume when switching to Clojure.
Another thread discusses the learning curve associated with Clojure. Some users acknowledge that while the initial learning phase might be steep due to its Lisp syntax and functional approach, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial investment. One commenter specifically mentions that while parentheses can appear intimidating at first, they become second nature with practice and actually contribute to code clarity. They argue that the regular structure of Lisp code makes it easier to parse and understand. Another commenter counters this, expressing frustration with the perceived complexity of Clojure and suggesting other functional languages as potentially easier alternatives.
The practicality and real-world applications of Clojure are also debated. Some commenters share their positive experiences using Clojure in production environments, praising its robustness and performance. They mention specific use cases, including web development and data processing, highlighting the language's suitability for complex tasks. However, other comments express skepticism about Clojure's widespread adoption and job market prospects. Concerns about the smaller community size compared to mainstream languages like Java or Python are also raised. One comment specifically mentions that while finding Clojure jobs might be challenging, the demand for skilled Clojure developers is relatively high, implying a potential advantage for those who invest in learning the language.
Finally, the discussion touches on the tooling and ecosystem surrounding Clojure. Some commenters praise the quality and maturity of Clojure's tooling, specifically mentioning libraries and frameworks that enhance development workflows. However, a counterpoint is raised regarding the relative immaturity compared to the tooling available for more established languages. One commenter also mentions the advantages of Clojure's JVM integration, allowing access to a vast ecosystem of Java libraries.