How to Start Programming in Lisp: An Introduction for the Future Professional
Lisp is a language for those who are willing to look into the underlying logic of programming. Lisp is known for its flexibility and the ability to literally rewrite the rules of the game. Unlike more popular languages, there are no trivial solutions or superficial recipes. This language is designed to explore the structure of computation - and that gives the expert incredible control.
Why do you need Lisp?
Artificial intelligence was being written in Lisp before it became mainstream. Lisp is an opportunity to change one's perspective on programming, and as a maximum it is a tool for the most complex computational tasks that require fine-tuning and tweaking. This language is used by the developer who wants to get as close to the fundamentals of computer science and rule changes as possible.
History of Lisp
Lisp was invented by John McCarthy in the late 1950s. He was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Lisp was originally developed to process symbols and create logic, which was then considered essential for the development of artificial intelligence. McCarthy conceived Lisp as a tool for mathematical computation and symbol manipulation, and his approach was revolutionary: he created a language where structure and data are treated as one and the same.
“Language for AI”
The goal of Lisp was to create a language capable of implementing “thinking” algorithms that could mimic human thinking. McCarthy wanted to create a language that could work directly with mathematical formulas and statements, allowing the programmer to build complex structures based on these symbolic calculations. Lisp allowed AI specialists to code and modify program logic literally on the fly.
Code as data
One of the key concepts of Lisp is the principle of “code as data”. McCarthy realized that if you make the program structure itself available for manipulation, you can create flexible programs that can rewrite themselves. In Lisp, all expression is represented as lists (hence the name LISt Processing), which means that code can be processed in the same way as ordinary data. This gave Lisp flexibility: it was able to perform tasks that were difficult for other languages of the time.
Because Lisp was developed as a language for AI, it was used to create programs that modeled logical thinking, analyzed data, and solved intellectual problems. It was used for projects such as automating theorem solving, language processing, action planning, and even modeling learning. Lisp was used extensively in laboratories, where it was used to create complex programs with self-modifying structures, and it became the basis for the first expert analysis systems.
Why is Lisp still relevant?
More than 60 years have passed since its creation, but Lisp is still popular among AI developers because of its ability to manipulate code and rapid prototyping. This flexibility makes it indispensable in projects where complex logic is important, as well as in tasks that require deep changes in program structure.
How can Lisp change the way we approach problem solving?
Popular programming languages restrict actions: their strict syntax and standards set you up for a certain style of thinking. Lisp, on the contrary, allows you to realize your own logic and constructs. Code in Lisp can be processed as data, and this radically expands the possibilities for creating unique solutions.
Let's say you need to sparse data from a website to analyze competitors. Lisp allows you to write programs that literally rewrite themselves on the fly - so you can automatically adjust parsing algorithms to changing sites.
Use proxies from proxys.io to avoid being blocked during mass data collection and maintain anonymity. All you need to do is configure the proxy and run the code.
Starting with Lisp
Unlike languages like Python or JavaScript, you don't start your introduction to Lisp with a “Hello, World!” console. A different strategy: start with the simplest forms and functions. By writing (print “Hello, World!”), you'll realize something fundamental. Here, every symbol, every parenthesis is not just a “form” but an instruction that can be overridden. Lisp reads expressions as lists, and lists as instructions. This allows you to do incredible things.
How to organize a working environment for programming in Lisp
Working with Lisp requires a good environment, as parsing and automation are tasks where it is important that processes are not interrupted. We recommend installing SBCL (Steel Bank Common Lisp), one of the most powerful implementations compatible with various platforms. It is a reliable solution that supports modern features and complies with the ANSI Common Lisp standard.
If you plan to work with data over the Internet and especially mass parsing sites, connect a proxy to protect your IP from blocking. Setting up a working environment using mobile proxies from Proxys.io will give you the flexibility to parsing large amounts of data. Swappable IP addresses will help you stay anonymous and access even restricted resources.
Example of parsing using Lisp
To create a simple parser, you need to define what data you want to extract, and then write a function to work with a specific site structure. Here is a basic template:
(defun fetch-website-data (url)
(let ((data (download-url url)))
(parse-html data)))
The fetch-website-data function is the starting point. It takes the URL, downloads the data and passes it to the parse-html function, which does all the work. But to avoid blocking, it is important that each request goes through a proxy server. Add a call to mobile proxies from proxys.io to the code:
(defun fetch-website-data-with-proxy (url)
(let ((data (download-url url :proxy "your-proxy-url")))
(parse-html data)))
This code will automatically redirect traffic through a proxy server and you will remain anonymous. Why is this necessary? While collecting data from competitors' sites, your IP will not be at risk of being blocked. You will be able to collect information to create analytics and strategize.
How Lisp helps in automation
Lisp is effective for writing functions that modify themselves. When you work with a large amount of information, you can implement “self-sustaining” code.
For example, you write code to analyze pages - but if the structure of the site changes, the program itself will rewrite some of the functions to adapt. This is possible thanks to metaprogramming.
Connect proxy to parsing
In the face of constant blocking and parsing restrictions, a proxy is not just an IP spoofing. It's a way to safely bypass defenses to keep your code running smoothly. With Proxys.io, you get a set of IP addresses that are easy to change, and thus avoid speed limits and blocking. It looks simple in Lisp code, but behind it is a powerful infrastructure that allows you to solve business problems efficiently.
Lisp is a unique language that opens up new levels of programming, and using a proxy server from Proxys.io is the optimal complement for efficient and secure work. With Lisp, you will be able to create code that anticipates changes and adapts itself to new conditions. With Proxys.io, your parsing will run smoothly without interruptions or limitations, so you can focus on your code without being distracted by technical barriers.