aesthetic.computer
Monorepo for Aesthetic.Computer
aesthetic.computer
1# Research: Alias for `repeat` in KidLisp
2
3**Date:** October 1, 2025
4**Goal:** Find a shorter, more ergonomic alias for the `repeat` word in KidLisp
5
6## Background
7
8The current `repeat` word is functional but at 6 characters, it's a bit long for such a commonly used construct. We want to add an alias that's:
9- Shorter and more ergonomic
10- Kid-friendly and intuitive
11- Respectful of Lisp traditions (where applicable)
12- Fun and fitting with KidLisp's playful aesthetic
13
14## Lisp Dialect Survey
15
16### Common Lisp
17- **`loop`** - Extremely powerful macro with complex DSL syntax
18- **`dotimes`** - Standard form: `(dotimes (var count) body)`
19- **`do`** - General iteration with complex binding syntax
20- **`dolist`** - Iterate over lists
21
22### Scheme
23- **`do`** - General iteration macro
24- **`dotimes`** - Available in some implementations (not standard)
25- **`repeat`** - Used in SRFI-42 (Eager Comprehensions)
26- Named `let` - Common idiom for loops via recursion
27
28### Clojure
29- **`dotimes`** - `(dotimes [i n] body)` - iterate n times
30- **`doseq`** - Sequence iteration
31- **`loop`/`recur`** - Tail-recursive iteration
32
33### Logo (Kid-Friendly Language)
34- **`repeat`** - `repeat 10 [forward 50 right 36]`
35- This is exactly what KidLisp currently uses!
36
37### Other Languages
38- **`times`** - Ruby uses this: `10.times { ... }`
39- **`for`** - Traditional in many languages but not very Lisp-y
40- **`each`** - Usually implies iterating over a collection
41
42## Proposed Options
43
44### 1. `times` ⭐ **RECOMMENDED**
45**Pros:**
46- Natural English: "do this 10 times"
47- 5 characters (1 shorter than repeat)
48- Kid-friendly and intuitive
49- Used in Ruby with similar meaning
50- Reads well: `(times 100 (box x y 10 10))`
51
52**Cons:**
53- Not traditional Lisp terminology
54- Could potentially conflict with multiplication context
55
56### 2. `dotimes`
57**Pros:**
58- Classic Lisp terminology (Common Lisp, Clojure)
59- Well-established meaning
60- Unambiguous
61
62**Cons:**
63- Actually LONGER than repeat (7 chars vs 6)
64- Defeats the purpose of an alias
65
66### 3. `rep`
67**Pros:**
68- Shortest option (3 characters)
69- Clear abbreviation of repeat
70- Very ergonomic
71
72**Cons:**
73- Feels a bit too abbreviated
74- Could be confused with "representative" or other meanings
75- Less intuitive for kids
76
77### 4. `bunch`
78**Pros:**
79- Whimsical and fun
80- Fits KidLisp aesthetic
81- 5 characters
82- Unique to KidLisp
83
84**Cons:**
85- No precedent in other languages
86- "Bunch" typically means "a group" not "multiple times"
87- Could be semantically confusing
88
89### 5. `loop`
90**Pros:**
91- 4 characters - very short
92- Universal concept
93- Common Lisp uses it
94
95**Cons:**
96- In Common Lisp, `loop` is a complex macro with DSL
97- Might set wrong expectations
98- Generic term that could be used for other loop types later
99
100## Recommendation: FINAL
101
102**Initial recommendation was `times`, but that reads backward. Then `rep`, but that's not a full word.**
103
104### Final Recommendation: **`bunch`** ⭐
105
106**`bunch`** is the perfect choice because:
107
1081. **Contextual meaning**: "Bunching together" Lisp expressions/clods - captures the essence of repetition in a Lisp context
1092. **Playful and unique**: Fits KidLisp's whimsical, creative aesthetic perfectly
1103. **Shorter**: 5 characters vs 6 for repeat
1114. **Complete word**: Real word that's kid-friendly and intuitive
1125. **Natural ordering**: "bunch 10" reads well - "bunch 10 (of these together)"
1136. **Unambiguous**: Won't conflict with other potential language features
114
115### Why not other options:
116
117- **`times`**: Reads backward "(times 10)" vs English "10 times" ✗
118- **`rep`**: Not a complete word, abbreviation isn't intuitive ✗
119- **`loop`**: Generic, less creative than bunch
120- **`dotimes`**: Longer than repeat (defeats the purpose)
121- Keep **`repeat`**: Valid but we want something shorter and more fun
122
123## Implementation Plan
124
1251. Add `bunch` as an alias to `repeat` in the specialForms object
1262. Update documentation to mention both forms
1273. Keep `repeat` as primary documentation form (Logo tradition, fully spelled out)
1284. Both `repeat` and `bunch` will work identically
129
130## Example Usage
131
132```lisp
133; Current syntax (still works, recommended for documentation)
134(repeat 100 (box (wiggle width) (wiggle height) 10 10))
135
136; New shorter alias - "bunching together" code clods!
137(bunch 100 (box (wiggle width) (wiggle height) 10 10))
138
139; With iterator - both forms
140(repeat height i
141 (ink rainbow)
142 (line 0 i width i))
143
144(bunch height i
145 (ink rainbow)
146 (line 0 i width i))
147```
148
149## Philosophy
150
151`bunch` perfectly captures the Lisp philosophy of "bunching together" expressions. When you use `(bunch 10 ...)`, you're literally creating a bunch of 10 instances of those code clods, executed together. It's playful, memorable, and uniquely KidLisp!