on 5/3/06 2:42 AM, Reuben Thomas at rrt@sc3d.org wrote:
"[Lua] now supports extensible semantics, anonymous functions, full
lexical closures, proper tail recursion, and coroutines".
Curiously, this list of features is what many languages are proud of
adding as they evolve. It sounds like "Lua started off as a quick hack
with interesting features a, b, and c but has now added all the usual
features of Lisp." You could phrase it alternatively: "Lua now has all
the features expected from a modern dynamic language, as well as
refining its own distinctive features".
Paul Graham made a remark to the effect that all languages attempt to turn
themselves into LISP as they evolve.
As for the 0 v 1 debate, it may be worth calling some attention to in the
history since it is a moderately controversial choice. As for the
"correct"
answer, on the one hand Dijkstra made remarks to the effect of expecting
that everyone knows you should start counting at zero. On the other hand,
most real world enumerations start with one rather than zero. Counting
from
zero generally labels one as a geek. Probably the greatest issue with the
choice is that for a language that is frequently embedded within C and C++
programs, it requires a mental translation for programmers switching back
and forth and introduces design questions when bridging data structures
between the worlds.
Mark
