Overview
What is Kernel?
Kernel is a Scheme-like programming language by John N. Shutt in which all objects are first-class.
What is klisp?
klisp is an implementation of the Kernel Programming Language
![](https://klisp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/klisp-logo.png)
Example
($define! $and?
($vau x e
($cond ((null? x) #t)
((null? (cdr x)) (eval (car x) e))
((eval (car x) e) (apply (wrap $and?) (cdr x) e))
(#t #f))))
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This is not the classical Hello World example, here we are defining the and operator. Try that in your programming language 😉
Get Started
hg clone https://bitbucket.org/AndresNavarro/klisp
cd klisp/src
make posix
./klisp
klisp 0.3 Copyright (C) 2011-2012 Andres Navarro, Oto Havle
klisp> (+ 41 1)
42
klisp>
Read the Documentation
klisp documentation is available in html format here: klisp documentation.
Read the Code
klisp source code is available under the MIT License. You can get it through bitbucket here: klisp Mercurial repository.
Discuss
Participate in the klisp discussion group: klisp Google Group.
Contribute
Create issues on the issue tracker, send patches, help documenting or spreading the word!
Resources
John N. Shutt Kernel Page
The Kernel Programming Language page from it’s creator John N. Shutt
John N. Shutt’s Thesis
Fexprs as the basis of Lisp function application or $vau: the ultimate abstraction
Kernel Specification
Our posts
Exploring Sound Synthesis, Composition, and Audio Manipulation
If you’re curious about how to blend the realms of functional programming and sound design, you’re in for a treat. This article will guide you through the complexities and wonders of using Klisp to create electronic music. Why Klisp for Music Production? Klisp isn’t just a programming language—it’s a framework for creating, manipulating, and […]
How Klisp and Lisp Serve as Bridges Between Traditional and Quantum Computing Paradigms
As technology relentlessly advances, groundbreaking innovations like quantum computing are revolutionizing the computational landscape. You’ll often hear geeks in the industry throwing around terms like “paradigm shift” as they discuss how this new form of computation could drastically change everything we know about computing. But here’s the deal: gliding smoothly between classical (or traditional) and […]
The Emergence and Evolution of the Symbolic Programming Paradigm
When we talk about symbolic programming, it’s impossible not to start with Lisp. Developed by John McCarthy at MIT in the late 1950s, Lisp was one of the first programming languages designed specifically for symbolic computation. McCarthy wanted to create a language that could handle lists, symbolic expressions, and other abstract data types – a […]
Bio-Inspired Computing with Klisp
Introduction to Bio-Inspired Computing Bio-inspired computing is a fascinating field where biology and technology intertwine. This approach to solving complex computational problems draws heavily on the behaviors, structures, and functions of biological entities. From the way ants find the shortest route to food, to the human brain’s ability to learn and adapt, nature offers a […]
Klisp for Audio Processing
Klisp is a thread that, albeit less trodden, weaves complex patterns with remarkable ease. This is particularly true in audio processing and music synthesis, where Klisp showcases its muscular prowess in manipulating soundscapes and sculpting auditory experiences that defy conventional bounds. Sound synthesis is the electronic or computational generation of audio signals. With Klisp, this […]
Unveiling the Power of Klisp in Linguistic Research and NLP
In computational linguistics and natural language processing (NLP), the advent of programming languages tailored for specific scientific inquiry has revolutionized how researchers approach language study. Among these, Klisp is a beacon for scholars and data scientists alike. Klisp, a dialect of the venerable Lisp, inherited its flexibility and power, making it an ideal tool for […]
Klisp REPL Guide
A REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) is an interactive programming environment that has a huge impact on modern development workflows. It provides developers with a real-time interface to write and test code, making the development process more dynamic and responsive. In the context of Klisp, a specialized variant of the Lisp programming language, the REPL serves as […]
Domain-Specific Languages with Klisp
In programming, where general-purpose languages like C++, Java, and Python have long been the stars, a unique constellation named Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) has been making a significant impression. These are not your run-of-the-mill programming languages. Instead, DSLs are tailored to address specific problems within a particular domain, offering a more direct, efficient means of solving […]
Understanding Macros in Klisp and Lisp
Macros allow you to write code that writes code, a concept known as metaprogramming. This feature enables you to extend the language, customize syntax, and introduce new abstractions tailor-made for your specific needs. They take code as input, manipulate it, and produce new code as output. This process happens during the compilation or interpretation phase […]
Functional Programming in Scientific Computing with Klisp
The search for clarity and simplicity leads many researchers and developers toward the paradigm of functional programming. Enter Klisp, a language specifically designed to harness the power of functional programming in scientific computing. Functional programming languages like Klisp emphasize the use of immutable data and pure functions, which can greatly simplify the reasoning about the […]
About
The Kernel Programming Language was created by John N. Shutt
klisp is developed by Andres Navarro and Oto Havle