[OT] Zen on objects vs closures

[Justin Johansson]

I just happened across this from a newsgroup archive circa 2003
and thought it a gem worth sharing around here.  Perhaps it's
an oldie for others on this ng but certainly it's a newie for me.

Cheers
Justin Johansson


From
http://people.csail.mit.edu/gregs/ll1-discuss-archive-html/msg03277.html


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.

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