Huh, that’s really cool… Not hard to do either, that is a great idea!
OvermindDL1
tmbb
Since nobody has said it yet, I will: REPL-driven development in clojure is a crutch. It’s needed because compiling a full clojure project is extremely slow. As a result, due to what I can only assume is Stockholm syndrome, clojure developpers start praising REPL drive development just to avoid having to compile the project in full.
4
mischov
There may be some truth to that statement, but that kind of hyperbole is no better than:
TDD in dynamic languages is a crutch. It’s needed because writing code in dynamic languages is extremely error prone. As a result, due to what I can only assume is Stockholm syndrome, dynamic language developers start praising TDD just to avoid losing their minds.
I personally find an exploratory style of programming that makes heavy use of the REPL beneficial and satisfying, but it’s always just one tool in the belt. Use it when it makes sense and reach for something else when it doesn’t.
4
tmbb
My point is that clojure makes it very hard to reach for something else (because It’s very slow).
I also think that many tests (not all, of course!) are actually a crutch for the lack of static types 
I won’t cokment on TDD because I’ve never used such thing.
1
OvermindDL1
I kind of think both of those statements are true. ^.^
Does not mean that REPL driven development in LISP is not fun, I’ve certainly done my share of it! ^.^
/me coughs
0
notriddle
Then why do so many other LISPs, which don’t compile as slowly as Clojure, also make heavy use of the REPL during development?
2
shymega
Well, this got quite a big response. I’m grateful for the variety of views, and it’s been interesting to read through them all!
Thanks for your input, folks. Although I should add that I’m not closing this topic, so feel free to carry on discussing!
0
DianaOlympos
I also think that many tests (not all, of course!) are actually a crutch as are static types used in term of checking reliability
My take on it 
1
OvermindDL1
Heh, sometimes I even debate by ‘being’ the opposite stance of what I truly think, just to see what new views come out (I’ve surprised myself when I take up my opposite view, sometimes I learn some really cool things!). ^.^
1
tmbb
Using the REPL is one thing (I do it a lot in elixir), but quite another thing is clojure people saying that slow compile times are not a problem, because REPL driven development with whatever tooling they prefer (loading individual modules or functions, or whatever) is the ultimate workflow and just so much better than actually compiling the whole project.
0