Lisp

Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics

Acronym for list processing language, a functional programming language for symbolic processing based semantically on the lambda calculus which has established itself as a standard programming language in computational linguistics and artificial intelligence. LISP is distinguished (a) by the use of a minimal syntax based on the principle of the operator-operand combination with circumfixed parentheses—‘(+1 2)’—which provides a great degree of flexibility; (b) by the use of a single data structure (lists) for representing programs and data; and (c) by the free use of recursion. These features are useful in programming partially specified problem areas, such as those under-going theoretical development, and in specifying representational languages. Since its introduction in 1956 by J.McCarthy, LISP has been developed in numerous stages including a practical (commercial) use.

McCarthy, J. et al. 1962.

LISP 1.5 programmer’s manual. Cambridge, MA.

Norrig, P. 1992. Paradigms of artificial intelligence programming: case studies in common LISP. San Mateo, CA.

Steel, G. 1990. Common LISP: the language, 2nd edn. Bedford.