LISP &c (re: the DoD...)

[tmb@talcott.UUCP (Thomas M. Breuel)]

> I think that far too much emphasis has been placed on the need for LISP
> in AI work.  The things that were novel when LISP was introduced are
> not so rare anymore.  Most AI programs written in LISP could be written
> equally well or better in other languages.

I disagree. LISP combines the following features:

-- smart memory management
-- a universal data structure (note the singular...)
-- simple but general syntax
-- procedures as manipulable objects

If a 'substitute' for LISP has the same characteristics, you may as
well go ahead and call it 'LISP'.

This is not to say that there are no special purpose languages which
are better adapted to one or the other category of AI problems.  This
is also not to say that with the advent of different computer
architectures other programming languages may take the place of LISP
(e.g. PROLOG).  For a conventional architecture, however, LISP is
probably the most general and most useful AI programming environment
you can build.

						Thomas.