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ManKai Common Lisp VS CMU Common Lisp

Compare ManKai Common Lisp VS CMU Common Lisp and see what are their differences

ManKai Common Lisp logo ManKai Common Lisp

ManKai Common Lisp (MKCL) aims to be a full implementation of the Common Lisp language in...

CMU Common Lisp logo CMU Common Lisp

CMUCL is a high-performance, free Common Lisp implementation.
  • ManKai Common Lisp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-20
  • CMU Common Lisp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-04-15

ManKai Common Lisp features and specs

  • Compatibility
    ManKai Common Lisp (MKCL) is designed to be ABI compatible with other Common Lisp implementations, which facilitates easier integration and code sharing across different environments.
  • Performance
    MKCL offers efficient performance that can be suitable for both small scripts and large systems, making it versatile for different project needs.
  • Portability
    MKCL is available on multiple platforms, supporting various operating systems which ensure that code can be easily transferred and run in different environments.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, MKCL allows developers to review, modify, and contribute to its source code, supporting community engagement and transparency.

Possible disadvantages of ManKai Common Lisp

  • Community Size
    The user and developer community around MKCL might be smaller compared to more popular Common Lisp implementations, potentially leading to less readily available support and resources.
  • Feature Set
    While MKCL aims for compatibility and performance, it may lack some of the advanced features found in other, more established Common Lisp environments.
  • Documentation
    The documentation for MKCL might not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as other Lisp environments, which could hinder learning and troubleshooting for new users.

CMU Common Lisp features and specs

  • High-Performance Compiler
    CMU Common Lisp features an efficient native code compiler that can produce highly optimized code for the supported platforms, enhancing performance for computationally-intensive applications.
  • Extensive Library Support
    Includes a wide variety of libraries, providing functionality ranging from numerical computing to system interfacing, which allows developers to implement diverse applications without relying heavily on external packages.
  • Strong Typing System
    CMUCL provides a strong type system with good error detection and optimization capabilities that can help catch errors at compile-time and improve runtime performance.
  • Garbage Collection
    It includes an efficient garbage collector that manages memory naturally, minimizing manual intervention and reducing memory leaks and fragmentation in applications.
  • Comprehensive Integrated Development Environment
    CMUCL comes with an integrated environment which includes a debugger, inspector, and an interface for efficient development and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of CMU Common Lisp

  • Limited Platform Support
    The number of platforms explicitly supported by CMUCL is limited, which can be a constraint for developers who need to work across multiple or newer systems.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Newcomers might find CMUCL challenging due to its complexity and the intricate features specific to Lisp, requiring a steep learning curve compared to more modern languages and environments.
  • Outdated Documentation
    Some users find the documentation to be outdated or not comprehensive enough, making it difficult to get started and fully leverage the system's capabilities.
  • Limited Community Support
    The user and contributor community for CMUCL is relatively small compared to other languages and projects, which may result in less frequent updates and fewer third-party resources.
  • Complex Setup Process
    Initial setup and configuration of CMUCL can be cumbersome, especially for users not familiar with Lisp environments or those who require specific custom configurations.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ManKai Common Lisp and CMU Common Lisp)
Programming Language
35 35%
65% 65
IDE
37 37%
63% 63
OOP
36 36%
64% 64
Text Editors
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ManKai Common Lisp and CMU Common Lisp, you can also consider the following products

Steel Bank Common Lisp - Steel Bank Common Lisp (SBCL) is a high performance Common Lisp compiler.

Hy - Hy is a wonderful dialect of Lisp that’s embedded in Python.

CLISP - CLISP is a portable ANSI Common Lisp implementation and development environment by Bruno Haible.

Allegro CL - Leading commercial Enterprise Development Tools and dynamic object-oriented Common Lisp development tools including Allegro CL with AllegroCache, an Object Database that provides Object Persistence in Lisp, native to the Lisp langauge.

Clozure Common Lisp - Clozure CL (often called CCL for short) is a free Common Lisp implementation with a long history.

Armed Bear Common Lisp - Armed Bear Common Lisp (ABCL) is a full implementation of the Common Lisp language featuring both...