Read Macro
Read MacroA ReadMacro is a LispMacro that is expanded at ReadTime?, so it can recognise specific characters (in constrast with regular LispMacros, which are expanded at CompileTime when the source has already been parsed). Pre-defined read macros are used extensively, and you can define your own to add whatever SyntacticSugar you want to the language.
For example, the QuoteOperator?
'fooseems like a built-in part of Lisp's syntax, but it's actually just a ReadMacro that expands to
(quote foo)There is a thorough treatment of all LispMacros in the book OnLisp (downloadable).
Hm, the macros of TexLanguage could be could be considered ReadMacros too. But there the whole macro expansion process is essentially done at ReadTime?, so... But wait: Macros are also expanded later when pages are formed and shipped out.
Macros in TeX are expanded by tokens. When reading from the file it makes the tokens according to the category code, and when expanding a macro, the token is fixed category code, even if you changed it later. And a macro is possible to expand into the command to modify itself or other macros. Also, inside of a \write whatsit node, can have macros which are expanded when shipping out the page.
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(last edited April 12, 2011)
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