My thoughts after using Clojure for about a month

A programmer has shared their firsthand experience after using Clojure for about a month, highlighting its cohesiveness, ergonomic data structures, and challenges faced, emphasizing why it merits attention for those interested in Lisp dialects or JVM languages.

The programmer chose Clojure as a language to build a static site generator, initially skeptical due to its syntax but found it surprisingly ergonomic and powerful. They noted that Clojure’s design is more cohesive than Common Lisp, with a unified sequence abstraction simplifying collection handling. The language’s standard library and JVM ecosystem provide extensive support, making it practical for hobbyist projects. However, the user pointed out that Clojure’s syntax includes multiple brackets and special characters, which can be cumbersome. They also highlighted challenges with Java interop, though the interop syntax is now understood. Despite some initial reservations, the programmer plans to continue exploring Clojure, including doing Project Euler problems to deepen their familiarity.

Why It Matters

This account underscores Clojure’s appeal for developers seeking a cohesive Lisp dialect with a pragmatic approach and strong ecosystem support. It signals that Clojure can serve as a productive language for hobbyist and professional projects, especially for those interested in JVM-based languages. The challenges related to syntax and Java interoperability are noteworthy but manageable, suggesting ongoing learning curves but promising potential for broader adoption.

Background

Clojure was created in 2007 by Rich Hickey as a modern Lisp targeting the JVM, emphasizing simplicity and functional programming. It’s often compared to Common Lisp and Scheme, with a focus on pragmatic, ecosystem-rich development. The language’s design aims for cohesion and ergonomics, especially in data structures, which differ from traditional Lisp implementations. Recent years have seen a growing community of hobbyists and professionals experimenting with Clojure for various domains, from web development to scripting.

“It turns out to be pretty ergonomic and powerful.”

— the author of the account

“I can simply call (map (fn [[k v] …]) hash-table) and be done with it.”

— the author

“I do wish there were an easier way to move in the ]}]})))}-ness of block ends though.”

— the author

“I’m going to stick with Clojure for a while.”

— the author

What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear how well Clojure’s ecosystem will support more complex or large-scale projects for the author, or how steep the learning curve will be for Java interop in the long term. The impact of syntax complexity on productivity remains subjective and may vary for different users.

What’s Next

The author plans to deepen their understanding by tackling Project Euler problems in Clojure and exploring more advanced features, including better Java interop. They also intend to monitor community developments and library support for broader application.

Key Questions

Is Clojure suitable for large-scale projects?

It is still uncertain; while Clojure’s ecosystem is growing, its suitability depends on project requirements and developer familiarity with JVM interop and syntax.

What are the main challenges faced when using Clojure?

The primary challenges include its bracket-heavy syntax and the need to learn Java interop conventions for more complex tasks.

How does Clojure compare to other Lisp dialects?

It is more cohesive and pragmatic, with a strong standard library and JVM support, compared to Common Lisp or Scheme, which are more flexible but less ecosystem-rich.

Will the author continue using Clojure long-term?

Based on their current experience and plans, the author intends to continue exploring Clojure, especially through projects like Project Euler.

Source: Hacker News