Why first lambda expression is args

[ssqq]

I think first lambda expression should is 'lambda:

Code Select Expand


> (first (lambda (x y) (+ x y)))
lambda
> (first (fn (x y) (+ x y)))
fn
> 'lambda
lambda
> 'fn
fn
> (cons 'fn '((x y) (+ x y)))
(fn (x y) (+ x y))


Why newLISP use args as first elements of lambda expression?

Why could not quote *lambda* and *fn*?

[hartrock]

I think first lambda expression should is 'lambda:

Code Select Expand


> (first (lambda (x y) (+ x y)))
lambda
> (first (fn (x y) (+ x y)))
fn
> 'lambda
lambda
> 'fn
fn
> (cons 'fn '((x y) (+ x y)))
(fn (x y) (+ x y))


Why newLISP use args as first elements of lambda expression?

Why could not quote *lambda* and *fn*?

lambda is a property of a list, and not a symbol at its beginning; an example:

Code Select Expand


> (set 'li (cons '(x y) (cons '(+ x y) '())))
((x y) (+ x y))
> (first li)
(x y)
> (set 'la (cons '(x y) (cons '(+ x y) '(lambda))))
(lambda (x y) (+ x y))
> (first la)
(x y)
> -> both list and lambda list having (x y) as first element.

But only the lambda list works as function:

Code Select Expand


> (li 3 4)

ERR: invalid list index
> (la 3 4)
7
>

From the manual http://www.newlisp.org/downloads/newlisp_manual.html#fn">//http://www.newlisp.org/downloads/newlisp_manual.html#fn:

... The fn or lambda word does not exist on its own as a symbol, but indicates a special list type: the lambda list. ...