So you're saying is and isa are variations of isomorphic? I was actually thinking of the verb to be for 'is'. If that's true I agree it makes more sense. I still think '=' looks a bit awkward for prefix assignment though.
As for def and mac I think fun and mac would reflect the difference just as well as they stand for completely different words. ;) But anyway, for me it would be mainly about "freeing" def, so it could be used for assignment.
'\' for lambda is actually a very good idea. I agree that with lisps syntax it wouldn't be as clear as in Haskell though. Maybe another character with some resemblance to lambda could be used, such as 'h' or 'y'.
arc> (= a 42
b '(1 2 3)
c "hello")
arc> (is a 42) ; test for equality, read as "_Is_ a equals to 42?"
t
arc> (isa a 'int) ; test for type, read as "_Is_ 'a' _a_(n) integer?"
t
arc> (iso b '(1 2 3)) ; test for isomorphy ("same form" in greek), 'is doesn't work for lists (normal)
t
arc> (is c "hello") ; "_is_ c equals to 'hello'?"
t
arc> (isa c 'string) ; "_is_ c _a_ string?"
t
So no, 'is and 'isa are not "variations" of isomorphic, but the names of 'is 'iso and 'isa are close because well, they are the same kind of things (test operators).
Yep, fun and mac are completely different words. I agree it could suffice. But 'fun would then be too close to 'fn (anonymous function/lambda) to replace 'def (define a function) IMO. Would prefer to change 'mac to 'defmac in this case.
About lambda: anyway what's the point with absolutely wanting to keep this word?! Church called his work "Lambda Calculus" because on the blackboard he used 'λ' because it's quick to write on a blackboard: two traits. But "lambda" is just an arbitrary name. I really don't see a reason to absolutely keep it when programming on a computer, where you can't quickly type "λ". Oh and "lambda" feels somewhat so pedantic.
Oh and all this is just cosmetic. Let's not debate about it for hours. We will never agree. De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum (I sometimes like to be pedantic and use Latin :-P)
