"one of the myths concerning LISP that people think up or invent for themselves becomes apparent, and that is that LISP is somehow a realization of the lambda calculus, or that was the intention. The truth is that I didn't understand the lambda calculus, really" - John McCarthy
So there are a two issues here, 1) whether or not it was McCarthy's intention to realize the Lambda Calculus in LISP, and 2) whether or not LISP is such a realization. Or at least some kind of close realization.
The answer to 1 is clearly no. This doesn't imply an answer to 2 one way or another.
If 2 isn't true, what explains the widespread belief? Is it really just that he, McCarthy, borrowed some notation?
"one of the myths concerning LISP that people think up or invent for themselves becomes apparent, and that is that LISP is somehow a realization of the lambda calculus, or that was the intention. The truth is that I didn't understand the lambda calculus, really" - John McCarthy
So there are a two issues here, 1) whether or not it was McCarthy's intention to realize the Lambda Calculus in LISP, and 2) whether or not LISP is such a realization. Or at least some kind of close realization.
The answer to 1 is clearly no. This doesn't imply an answer to 2 one way or another.
If 2 isn't true, what explains the widespread belief? Is it really just that he, McCarthy, borrowed some notation?