[Axiom-developer] Axiom and streams

[Stephen Wilson]

Tim, *,

One of the non-standard extensions (that is, not defined by the ANSI
Lisp specification) which most Lisp systems offer in one form or
another is a CLOS based stream library.  The most widespread of which
are Gray Streams[1], and a newer design promoted by Franz known as Simple
Streams[2]. 

I am curious of any thoughts about using either of these items or
similar in Axiom as a long term goal. I believe that Axioms
implementation could benefit immensely by adopting one of these
libraries.  The significant advantage is that these are extensible
designs, and provide consistent interfaces for a variety of stream
objects.  For example, reading a character stream backed by a file or
off a network can be handled through single API.

A large drawback is that neither, to my knowledge, have been
implemented atop GCL.  I am seriously considering writing an
implementation.  I have a personal preference for using Simple Streams
as I believe it mostly succeeded in addressing issues with the Gray
Streams model.

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated.  Should this be
an aim at all?  Pros/cons between the Gray/Simple stream designs?
Alternative approaches?

Take care,
Steve


[1] http://www.nhplace.com/kent/CL/Issues/stream-definition-by-user.html

[2] http://www.franz.com/support/documentation/6.2/doc/streams.htm