Extensions Quote by Richard Stallman
“The principal lesson of Emacs is that a language for extensions should not be a mere "extension language". It should be a real programming language, designed for writing and maintaining substantial programs. Because people will want to do that!”
About This Quote
Source Essay: GNU Emacs Manual, 1985
An extension language must be a full programming language to support complex, maintainable software.
In simple terms: Extension languages need full programming power.
Key Takeaway
Use robust languages for extensions.
Themes
software design
programming
extensibility
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
technical
educational
When to use this quote
- coding tools
- text editors
- software development
Key Concepts
language theory
software engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- Why prioritize language completeness?
- What are the trade‑offs?
A Different Perspective
Complex languages may increase learning curve.
![“I don't know how to stop it, there was never any intent to write a programming language [...] I have absolutely no idea how to write a programming language, I just kept adding the next logical step on the way.” quote by Rasmus Lerdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e3/rasmus-lerdorf-30566_ideas_i-don-t-know-how-to-stop-it-there-was-ne_903583.jpg)
![“When the fountains of government [borrowing] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the state was forced to check the extension of bureaucracy and to put a stop to public works, then and then only did the Italians realize what it…” quote by John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/908/john-t-flynn-18493_abundance_when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowi_2663.jpg)
