Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Objects and closures are two different perspectives on the same thing. That is, if you're in a language with closures but no objects, you can implement objects using closures. If you're in a language with objects but no closures, you can implement closures with objects.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closure_(computer_programming)




The venerable master Qc Na was walking with his student, Anton. Hoping to prompt the master into a discussion, Anton said "Master, I have heard that objects are a very good thing - is this true?" Qc Na looked pityingly at his student and replied, "Foolish pupil - objects are merely a poor man's closures."

Chastised, Anton took his leave from his master and returned to his cell, intent on studying closures. He carefully read the entire "Lambda: The Ultimate..." series of papers and its cousins, and implemented a small Scheme interpreter with a closure-based object system. He learned much, and looked forward to informing his master of his progress.

On his next walk with Qc Na, Anton attempted to impress his master by saying "Master, I have diligently studied the matter, and now understand that objects are truly a poor man's closures." Qc Na responded by hitting Anton with his stick, saying "When will you learn? Closures are a poor man's object." At that moment, Anton became enlightened.


I'm not so enlightened as Anton. I think that closures are closures and objects are just syntax sugar over closures


You will want to read this[1] and the links in there. (And note the names of those involved in the thread; those were the days...)

[1] http://people.csail.mit.edu/gregs/ll1-discuss-archive-html/m...


A lot of people would disagree, and hence the koan.

Personally, I see closures as objects that the compiler cooks up on your behalf. This coming from a compiler background, where said compiler is usually implemented in C++ :P.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: