Common Lisp vs DM
When comparing Common Lisp vs DM, the Slant community recommends Common Lisp for most people. In the question“What is the best programming language to learn first?” Common Lisp is ranked 19th while DM is ranked 72nd. The most important reason people chose Common Lisp is:
Almost all aspects of the language are designed with interactive/repl use in mind.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Carefully designed for interactive use
Almost all aspects of the language are designed with interactive/repl use in mind.
Pro Very Powerful REPL with SLIME
SLIME (Superior Lisp Interaction Mode for Emacs).
Pro Condition/restart system
It is easy to recover from errors. Error resolution can be determined by the user at the REPL.
Pro Image based runtime
The state of the program may be saved and reloaded as an image, supporting safer modification of the running program. New code may be compiled into the image as the program runs, while late binding ensures that symbol redefinitions take effect throughout the program.
Pro Almost as fast as, or faster than, C
Some compilers such as SBCL can be faster than C or other low-level languages, and most compilers can generate fast native code.
Pro Active development
DM and BYOND are constantly being developed and expanded, with feedback from the community, and Lummox as the lead developer.
Pro Active community
The BYOND community is helpful, and has been active for decades, so there are many solutions available. You can find many answers in the forums.
Pro Excellent documentation
Documentation is easy to learn, and can be found here.
Pro Quickly create online multiplayer games
Makes networking easy, so you can just make your game.
Pro Easy to learn
One of the easiest to learn languages. Similar to Python and C++.
Cons
Con Proprietary language
DM is owned and developed by BYOND. As such, you will only be able to use it for software created using BYOND's software suite.
