Lisp reader

<h2 id="read-table">Read table</h2>
<p>The reader is controlled by the readtable, which defines the meaning of each <a href="/facts/Character_(computing)/X2zKLFFB">character</a>.
</p>
<h2 id="read-macros">Read macros</h2>
<p>Unlike most programming languages, Lisp supports parse-time execution of programs, called "read macros" or "reader macros".  These are used to extend the syntax either in universal or program-specific ways.  For example, the <a href="/facts/Lisp_(programming_language)/xJHA3CrX">quoted form</a>  (quote <i>x</i>) operator can be abbreviated as '<i>x</i>.  The ' operator can be defined as a read macro which reads the following list and wraps it with quote. Similarly, the <a href="/facts/Lisp_(programming_language)/xJHA3CrX">backquote operator</a> (` ) can be defined as a read macro.
</p>

<h2 id="bibliography">Bibliography</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/John_McCarthy_(computer_scientist)/ajKU4SdD">John McCarthy</a> <i>et al.</i>, <i>LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual</i>, MIT Press, 1962.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/David_A._Moon/08vnwSxD">David A. Moon</a>, <i>MACLISP Reference Manual</i>, 1974.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Guy_Steele/amHwRA1l">Guy Steele</a>, <i>Common LISP: The Language</i>, Second Edition, 1990.</li></ul>

Lisp reader open-in-new

Lisp reader