alms@cambridge.apple.com (Andrew L. M. Shalit) (11/10/89)
OK, we all know eval is evil (notice that I didn't cross-post to comp.lang.lisp, where probably only about 90% of the people know eval is evil). I'm looking for a paper which explains *why* eval is evil, and explains how things like closures and backquote and such can be used instead. I'm trying to re-educate some Lisp programmers who were raised in the 1970's (some on InterLisp) and think that <the power of Lisp> = <the power of eval> Has anyone ever taken the time to write this stuff down? Or is it just 'general culture'? Send responses to alms@cambridge.apple.com. I'll post a summary if there's interest. thanks! -andrew