[erlang-questions] Why doesn't erl_eval compile code?

[Tony Arcieri]

On Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM, Robert Virding <rvirding@REDACTED> wrote:

> The basic problem is that you are trying to use the code system in a way we
> never intended.


Yes, at times I feel like I'm in square peg round hole territory.  Usually
when I reach this point I try to take a step back and do things in an
Erlangier way.  I now see the reasoning behind why Erlang implements eval
metacircularly.  However, if there's one thing that sets scripting languages
apart from other languages I believe it's extensive use of eval and runtime
code generation/execution.  In that regard you might call Lisp the world's
first scripting language (although I believe that honor is typically
attributed to awk)

However, it's a lot easier to write a metacircular evaluator for a Lisp than
for something like Reia...


> To do this properly as you intend would mean a rewrite of the code system,
> which would probably result in changes all over the place. But it would be
> more beautiful. :-(
>

I'm okay with hacks as long as they work :)

-- 
Tony Arcieri
medioh.com